Prime Minister Najib Razak today announced "Duit Raya" (Hari Raya money) totalling RM43.2 million for all Felda settlers.     

Najib said the money was being given in appreciation of their contributions towards the development of Felda (Federal Land Development Authority) and to help them in their Hari Raya preparation.      

He said the awarding of the "Duit Raya" was divided into two categories, namely settlers with Felda and settlers who were not with Felda.      

"A total 103,597 settlers or 91.9 per cent who are with Felda will receive RM400 each and this involves an allocation of RM41.4 million.     

"A total 9,038 settlers or 8.02 per cent who are not with Felda will receive RM200 each involving RM1.8 million," he said when opening the 2012 National-level "Rahmat Ramadan Warga Felda"  programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Baru, Beris Jaya, here, today.     

The contribution of "Duit Raya" to the settlers has been implemented since 2003. The amount this year is higher by RM0.6 million or 1,.39 per cent compared to RM42.6 million last year.

Promises fulfilled?  

At the event, Najib also announced grants for mosque committees in Felda settlements totalling RM792,500, RM951,000 for the Ihya Ramadan programme and  RM540,000 for the same programme in Felda parliamentary constituencies.      

"All our promises will be kept ...just as the teachings of Islam call for. Although Felda has been listed (on Bursa Malaysia), all aid we have given prior to the listing will be continued. So ‘Duit Raya’ we will still give to the settlers," he said.     

Also present were Najib's wife Rosmah Mansor, Housing and Local Government Minister Chor Chee Heung, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom, Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Johari Baharum, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Ahmad Maslan and Felda chairman Mohd Isa Abdul Samad.      

The prime minister's visit to Sik today also witnessed the expanding of the Kasih Felda aid programme to traditional kampungs in the proximity of Felda settlements.       

The programme involves assistance to repair and upgrade dilapidated houses.     

In Kedah, some 1,000 houses have been identified as eligible for the aid and will receive RM5,000 each for the purpose.     

The prime minister later broke fast with Felda settlers and residents in the Sik parliamenarry constituency.     

- Bernama