THE Pakatan Harapan government must stop complaining about the mess it inherited from the previous administration and start delivering its promises or it will be rejected in the next general election, Daim Zainuddin said today.

The influential adviser to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the people were fed up with the new government’s excuse that it did not have enough money, while people are suffering from high cost of living and reduced income.

“But I can promise you that this government will deliver its promises. The people don’t want to hear complaints about problems (from the government). They want their problems to be solved.

“If they had wanted their problems to continue, they would have picked the old government. Things are different now. We have a government with integrity,” he said during a meeting with Felda settlers in Felda Sungai Tengi, Hulu Selangor, today.

Daim is presently on a Felda roadshow to explain to the Felda settlers nationwide on why they should continue backing the government on the face of opposition onslaught that the PH administration was sidelining the scheme and its settlers.

As part of the government’s commitment for Felda settlers, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng announced on Thursday a special RM77 million to help settlers with outstanding payments for the current year.

The money will help settlers pay outstanding “khairat kematian” (death benefits) totalled at RM1.2 million involving the families of 120 settlers who are deceased.

The money will also be used on RM43 million of outstanding payments to Felda Technoplant Sdn Bhd for farm development operations.

Another RM32.8 million will be used on cost of living aid and deposits for replanting benefiting 38,000 Felda settlers.

Daim said the government would solve Felda’s financial issues as soon as it can following the drastic drop in commodity prices.

“We can’t wait for another two years. We need solutions now. We must prioritise the people. We don’t want to say we have no money.

“If the government does not defend you (the settlers), then in the next general election, you will change the government. This is your right.

“The people will elect a government which protects them. If a government fails to do so, the people can then vote in someone who will,” he said.

He also disputed the common perception that the Malays are lazy, saying that the Malays today are hardworking if given the chance to work.

“What is important is to be successful. If we are successful, our income will increase, and others will follow.

“I myself have now planted durian, rambutan, rear fish…to show the people that Malays too can do these,” he said.

Daim also urged the relevant authorities to find measures to overcome the problems faced by Felda settlers, including by conducting studies if something else can be done on their land.

“If we can’t grow pineapple here, try something else. We should not be solely relying on rubber and palm oil. We must diversify.”

He added that the failure of Felda today was a result of the previous administration’s mismanagement and embezzlement.

He urged them to fully support Dr Mahathir to revive Felda to its old might.

“Trust Dr Mahathir. We will save Felda and bring it to its old glory. This government will fulfill each of its promise.

“But you will have to be patient. We will find ways. That’s our responsibility,” he said. – December 22, 2018.