By Zabidi Ishar and Mohd Fakri Awang Lah
GUA MUSANG, Feb 11 (Bernama) -- Since introduced in 2006, the issue of Ladang Rakyat (People's Estates) has haunted residents in Hulu Kelantan and yet to be resolved.
In fact the issue is give rise to more questions that need explanation from the PAS-led Kelantan government.
There were residents who claimed that their lands which for decades had become their source of livelihood were taken away without any compensation and explanation.They included memebrs of the Orang Asli community, who claimed that they customary land that had been reserved for them.
In recent developments, Ladang Rakyat participants themselves complained and demanded that the state government especially the Ladang Rakyat Development Authroity fulfill promises its made since 2008.
For 56 Ladang Rakyat participants in Paloh 4 near hear, involving 400 hectares of land, they have been waiting in vain to be given four hectares each and a plot of land to build a house, which had been promised to them.
They were also promised a monthly salary of RM750 and other incentives which were considered sufficient for them to continue life with their families.
Hopes for the second and third generation also seemed to diminish when their farms planted with oil palm trees became more like 'ghost farms' because of poor maintenance since the last three years.
What is more perplexing is that there are only five to six local and foreign workers assigned to take care of the expansive farms.
Mustafa Mohd Daud, 60, one o those affected, said his hopes to see his children and grandchildren be given certificates stating that they are the second and third generation participants by the authority appear remote.
"I think this was all a lie. Lying to my children means lying to me too. All these were for politics, deceiving us when the land was taken, purportedly it was for us too," he said, adding that the promises were made just to sooth their anger apart from fishing for votes during the 12th general election.
"Tok guru (Menteri Besar Kelantan Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat) said the land is God's right and anyone can explore it. I might be ignorant but I know the 'halal' and 'haram' of not fulfilling promises," added Mustafa.
Paloh 4 Ladang Rakyat participants head Mohd Fauzi Mohamad, 43, said all the settlers who received the participants' certificate were once strong supporters of the opposition.
"We were interviewed by the state's executive councillors (excos) at that time to be chosen as settlers. They promised that after three years we will get all these. Where are their promises? The farm is turning into a bush," said the Gua Musang Angkatan Muda Keadilan former chief.
He and other settlers plan to lodge a police report and drag those who had made those empty promises to justice, including bringing the issue to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
"We do not believe the state government led by PAS anymore. Enough of them in deceiving us," he said.
Meanwhile, Paloh assemblyman Datuk Nozula Mat Diah claimed that the not only the settlers were mistreated by the state government's sub-division of the land, but also government agencies, especially the The South Kelantan Development Authority (Kesedar) was its mercy.
"The state government assumes the land belongs to it even though the premium is paid by Kesedar, and the premium was not paid just a year or two, but decades, by right the mad is supposed to belong to Kesedar," he said.
He said the state government shoud have given the Ladang Rakyat development to Kesedar or Felda if it cannot afford to manage or implement its development programmes, so that the participants could benefit.
Meanwhile, Young People United Against Corruption (Ombak) president Wan Khairul Ihsan Wan Mohamad said they are ready to help the settlers, who felt that they had been cheated, in bringing the case to justice.
He alleged that this issue one of the clear failures on the part of the Kelantan government.
GUA MUSANG, Feb 11 (Bernama) -- Since introduced in 2006, the issue of Ladang Rakyat (People's Estates) has haunted residents in Hulu Kelantan and yet to be resolved.
In fact the issue is give rise to more questions that need explanation from the PAS-led Kelantan government.
There were residents who claimed that their lands which for decades had become their source of livelihood were taken away without any compensation and explanation.They included memebrs of the Orang Asli community, who claimed that they customary land that had been reserved for them.
In recent developments, Ladang Rakyat participants themselves complained and demanded that the state government especially the Ladang Rakyat Development Authroity fulfill promises its made since 2008.
For 56 Ladang Rakyat participants in Paloh 4 near hear, involving 400 hectares of land, they have been waiting in vain to be given four hectares each and a plot of land to build a house, which had been promised to them.
They were also promised a monthly salary of RM750 and other incentives which were considered sufficient for them to continue life with their families.
Hopes for the second and third generation also seemed to diminish when their farms planted with oil palm trees became more like 'ghost farms' because of poor maintenance since the last three years.
What is more perplexing is that there are only five to six local and foreign workers assigned to take care of the expansive farms.
Mustafa Mohd Daud, 60, one o those affected, said his hopes to see his children and grandchildren be given certificates stating that they are the second and third generation participants by the authority appear remote.
"I think this was all a lie. Lying to my children means lying to me too. All these were for politics, deceiving us when the land was taken, purportedly it was for us too," he said, adding that the promises were made just to sooth their anger apart from fishing for votes during the 12th general election.
"Tok guru (Menteri Besar Kelantan Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat) said the land is God's right and anyone can explore it. I might be ignorant but I know the 'halal' and 'haram' of not fulfilling promises," added Mustafa.
Paloh 4 Ladang Rakyat participants head Mohd Fauzi Mohamad, 43, said all the settlers who received the participants' certificate were once strong supporters of the opposition.
"We were interviewed by the state's executive councillors (excos) at that time to be chosen as settlers. They promised that after three years we will get all these. Where are their promises? The farm is turning into a bush," said the Gua Musang Angkatan Muda Keadilan former chief.
He and other settlers plan to lodge a police report and drag those who had made those empty promises to justice, including bringing the issue to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
"We do not believe the state government led by PAS anymore. Enough of them in deceiving us," he said.
Meanwhile, Paloh assemblyman Datuk Nozula Mat Diah claimed that the not only the settlers were mistreated by the state government's sub-division of the land, but also government agencies, especially the The South Kelantan Development Authority (Kesedar) was its mercy.
"The state government assumes the land belongs to it even though the premium is paid by Kesedar, and the premium was not paid just a year or two, but decades, by right the mad is supposed to belong to Kesedar," he said.
He said the state government shoud have given the Ladang Rakyat development to Kesedar or Felda if it cannot afford to manage or implement its development programmes, so that the participants could benefit.
Meanwhile, Young People United Against Corruption (Ombak) president Wan Khairul Ihsan Wan Mohamad said they are ready to help the settlers, who felt that they had been cheated, in bringing the case to justice.
He alleged that this issue one of the clear failures on the part of the Kelantan government.
No comments:
Post a Comment