Settlers Victory and more lawsuits to follow

Harakahdaily

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 26: PAS has welcomed the decision by the Federal Court in ordering the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) to pay RM11 million to 354 Felda Kemahang 1 settlers for cheating them over the grade of their oil palm fruit. “Today’s victory proves that PAS and PR have been sincere in fighting for the welfare of the settlers who have been victimised for years by an unjust system,” PAS vice president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (pic) told Harakahdaily today. Congratulating the settlers, Tuan Ibrahim said their patience "has finally paid off today". Court of Appeal president Alauddin Mohd Sheriff who led a three-member panel today refused to review Felda's application to challenge a similar Federal Court decision by another panel which had earlier dismissed Felda's appeal. Due to the absence of Felda and Felda Palm Industries’ counsel in court, Kota Baru High Court judge Mohd Azman Husin ordered Felda to pay RM7.8 million plus interest, escalating the total amount to RM11 million. The settlers, who have been fighting for compensation for more than 10 years, are expected to receive between RM25,000 and RM30,000 each. Tuan Ibrahim said the court ruling today has vindicated Felda settlers who had accused the agency of wrongdoing. “With today’s decision, it means that the allegations brought forward by ANAK have basis...it will open the eyes of the parties involved to pay settlers fairly,” he said, referring to recent police reports lodged by National Felda Settlers' Children's Association (ANAK) detailing massive irregularities in Felda. Tuan Ibrahim also hit out at Felda chairman Yussof Noor for alleging that opposition leaders were trying to pit the settlers against the agency, saying Pakatan Rakyat was only trying to get justice for the settlers. “The issue of splitting Felda does not arise because some of the supporters and members of PR are settlers and the second generation of Felda. "They only seek justice and the government should not provide ‘sweeteners’ to them in time of Raya while at the same time rob them by manipulating oil palm price," he said. 'Be transparent' Tuan Ibrahim called on Felda to be transparent in its dealings with settlers, and not compel them to accept prices determined by it. “Costs for fertilizer, pesticide, farm roads, transport and others have increased Felda settlers’ debt unreasonable proportions," he said, adding that in spite of this, "their production outputs are continuously being cut by Felda due to the lopsided agreement." Commenting on the land title grants, Tuan Ibrahim urged Felda to return the land titles to settlers who had settled their debts, and said some were yet to receive their land titles despite doing so.