FELDA chairman Ahmad Shabery Cheek says negotiations with the Terengganu state government have reached a final, positive stage after more than a month of talks.
KUALA TERENGGANU: The Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) is confident of reaching a positive and sustainable resolution to a commercial plantation land issue with the Terengganu State Government.
Chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said negotiations have been ongoing for over a month and are now in their final stage.
He said a common ground can be achieved through mutual understanding and compromise from both sides.
Any outcome will still need to go through several approval processes.
This includes being brought to the attention of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and the Ministry of Finance.
Ahmad Shabery said operations at the 10 affected plantations are continuing under FGV Holdings Bhd.
He stressed this is to ensure the well-being of FELDA settlers.
“Although the land involved is managed by FGV, it serves as a source of income for FELDA to meet the needs of all settlers,” he told reporters.
He added that much assistance for settlers comes from other lands allocated to FELDA for development.
The state government had previously issued notices prohibiting encroachment on about 15,000 hectares of FELDA-managed land.
It claimed the land had been developed for over 40 years without payment of premiums, taxes, or profit-sharing.
Notices were served on plantation managements in Setiu, Besut, Kemaman, Marang, Dungun and Hulu Terengganu.
The state government has since extended the remedial period for FELDA following positive developments in the negotiations.
