Kuala terengganu: The Terengganu and Federal governments, along with the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA), have initiated discussions to address ongoing land issues within the state. In a recent Facebook update, Datuk Dr Azman Ibrahim, who chairs the State Agriculture, Basic Agro-based Industry, Food Security, and Commodities Committee, confirmed that the dialogue commenced yesterday afternoon.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, a meeting took place involving key stakeholders, including the state government, the Treasury secretary-general, a FELDA board member, and the FELDA director-general. Dr Azman indicated that the conversations are set to continue, with another round of talks scheduled for tomorrow evening. He emphasized the importance of compromise in reaching a peaceful resolution, underscoring the need for mutual respect for jurisdiction and equitable evaluation of the issues at hand.

Despite the ongoing discussions, Dr Azman, who also leads the Task Force Committee for FELDA land settlement, stated that the Notice of Warning for Unauthorised Occupation, issued under Section 425 of the National Land Code, will remain active until a resolution is achieved. This notice, distributed across FELDA-operated lands in Terengganu, impacts approximately 15,000 hectares over 10 plantations.

Minister of Communications and MADANI Government spokesman, Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, reported that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had confirmed prior financial settlements by the Federal government regarding the FELDA land issue. Discussions between the Treasury secretary-general, Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican, and the Terengganu government have been held to verify these settlements.

The notices, which were delivered last Sunday, aim to address the state's claims that the land has been utilized for over four decades without the payment of premiums, taxes, or profit shares. These notices affected plantation managements in Setiu, Besut, Kemaman, Marang, Dungun, and Hulu Terengganu.