Kuala lumpur: The entire cooperative ecosystem under the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) must undergo a restructuring process to generate more encouraging profits, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. The move is necessary to enable profits to be redistributed to shareholders, he stressed.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid stated that since the cooperatives hold investments in various business organisations, the strategy now is to realise these holdings through divestment or ensure they yield better returns on investment (ROI) for the cooperatives. He mentioned that last year’s dividends have started being paid, but the amount is still relatively small compared to when the cooperatives first recorded strong profits.

Earlier, in his speech, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, urged the Felda management to focus on issues concerning settlers’ land ownership, housing, debt, and 5G network access in most Felda areas. He highlighted the importance of returning profits to the settlers, as these are the returns from their hard work, and called on Felda’s management to fulfil this promise.

At the same time, he expressed hope for the expansion of access to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Felda areas to produce a highly skilled generation of Felda youths. He also emphasised the need for ensuring 5G coverage in all Felda areas nationwide, enabling settlers to benefit from modern technology, as well as upgrading substandard road infrastructure to create a more conducive living environment.

Ahmad Zahid assured that his only concern is to ensure that the rights of Felda settlers are restored to them. He concluded by stating that only when the settlers find true satisfaction will Felda be truly recognised globally.

The five-day carnival, held from July 30, featured three flagship entrepreneurship programmes: the ‘Karnival Usahawan Desa’ (KUD) by the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW), FELDA Settlers’ Day (HPF) by Felda, and the ‘Showcase Satu Daerah Satu Industri’ (SDSI) by the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry (KUSKOP). More than 1,000 entrepreneurs and exhibitors, along with a total of 882 entrepreneurship booths, participated in the carnival – a large-scale entrepreneurial initiative that unites entrepreneurs nationwide under a holistic and inclusive platform.