AS the 14th general election draws near, a group representing second-generation Felda settlers is demanding that a senator be appointed among the community.

This was one of the many proposals by Pertubuhan Suara Generasi Kedua Felda committee members during a meeting in Sg Tengi Felda in Selangor on Sunday.

The group will hand over a seven-point memorandum to Prime Minister Najib Razak as soon as possible to ensure that settlers get special attention from Putrajaya.

“We are proposing that the government appoint the national chief of the settlers as senator.

“This will ensure that settlers are represented in the government. Felda settlers are, after all, the main contributors to the country’s revenue,” said the group’s adviser, Zulkefli Nordin.

He told The Malaysian Insight that Najib should change settlers’ 99-year leasehold land status to freehold, to show that the government cared about the community and its future.

Additionally, the memorandum will push for better plantation administration.

Zulkefli said settlers wanted the debt statement system to be more transparent and easier to understand.

“We want outstanding debts to be settled, and the government to fix the palm kernel oil extraction rate for Felda settlers.”

The group also wants settlers to have increased participation in the Felda land development and security planning committee.

“We want Putrajaya to set up a Felda University for the education of settlers’ children and Felda employees who embrace the soul of Felda,” said Zulkefli.

“We believe the government needs to honour the trust of Felda voters.

“Only with the intervention of the government can the many issues and problems faced by settlers be resolved.”

There are 51 parliamentary seats in Peninsular Malaysia that are in Felda territories. These seats have long been Barisan Nasional’s “safe deposits”.

Knowing the importance of settlers’ votes, opposition party Bersatu, chaired by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, has been visiting and campaigning in Felda areas.

Bersatu will represent Pakatan Harapan in fighting for 27 Felda seats. PKR will stand in 13 such seats, Amanah (eight) and DAP (five). – February 28, 2018.