SERDANG: The government has approved a RM31.7 million allocation for Felda settlers to participate in the Madani Community Wellbeing Programme (SejaTi Madani).
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the allocation would be given to 317 Felda settlements, which equates to RM100,000 per settlement.
The programme is expected to stimulate economic activity at the community level.
"The community is given the freedom to decide on sectors of focus such as agriculture and food, tailoring and handicrafts, herbs and health, tourism and hospitality as well as green and recycling activities.
"I hope this initiative will have a positive impact on the Felda community," he said in his speech at the National Felda Settlers' Day 2024 launching ceremony in Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) here today.
Anwar explained that the community in the settlements should come together to discuss the proposed programmes so that it could be inclusive.
The SejaTi Madani is an initiative aimed at boosting economic activities at the community level to increase income by providing funds of up to RM100,000 to eligible communities.
This programme is a form of government assistance designed to empower communities through socio-economic enhancement activities.
Anwar also called Felda to adopt a community centred approach in their management of the Felda Investment Cooperative to help manage the settlers' funds.
"Cooperatives are very important institutions, but sometimes their weakness lies in appointing unqualified personnel.
"Hence, funds should be ensured to be managed efficiently (by the cooperative) and monitored by Felda without interference in matters of efficient fund management," he said, adding that this was also to avoid any form of misappropriation.