Government is working hard to increase palm oil exports, says Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is working diligently to boost palm oil exports, which are primarily produced on the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) estates, to increase the income of settlers, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

According to the Wilayahku portal, Anwar said that because of this, he is using every opportunity when meeting world leaders such as those from China, India, and Russia to enhance the purchase of Malaysian palm oil.

“Alhamdulillah (Praise be to God), they have expressed their agreement as a result of our close friendship,” he said on his Facebook page.

He made these remarks after starting his visit to Sabah today with a trip to FELDA Wilayah Sahabat in Lahad Datu.

He mentioned that the visit was to engage with the settlers and enforcement personnel at the Majlis Santunan Budi, Tautan Kasih FELDA Madani event.

“I extend my highest appreciation to the FELDA Wilayah Sahabat community, who stood alongside the enforcement bodies as the front line in combating encroachments in Lahad Datu in 2013.

“I am thrilled to see the beauty of FELDA Wilayah Sahabat, which is located by the coast. Thank you for the extraordinary welcome from the FELDA community,” he said.

Anwar noted that the beauty of FELDA Wilayah did not come by chance but was the result of Tun Abdul Razak’s vision to help the poor through a massive program.

He said that the initiative was later embraced by the early settlers who sacrificed by clearing the forests, leading to the establishment of 317 FELDA schemes today.

Meanwhile, Anwar also acknowledged the issues of water and electricity that still affect some areas and require significant funding from the Federal Government.

He believes that these issues can be resolved with good cooperation from the State Government.

Additionally, during the event, he announced the approval to release 400 hectares of native customary land in Tambisan, Lahad Datu, from the FELDA Wilayah Sahabat area.

“This land will be returned to the villagers who had settled there before FELDA’s involvement.

“I have been informed that this matter has been raised by Tambisan residents for decades.

“The Madani Government is unwilling to let this issue drag on, and God willing, it will be resolved in collaboration with the Sabah Government and FELDA within two months,” he said.