BENTONG (Feb 5): The RM50 million allocated this year to transform five selected Felda settlements will be put into optimal use to turn them into smart and sustainable settlements in line with the current development.

Felda chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad said 10 more settlements, with an allocation of RM10 million each, would be selected later under the Felda 2.0 initiative.

“We applied for matching grants as an effort to bring balanced development to Felda settlers.

“The Felda 2.0 initiative is our effort to close the income gap between urban and rural areas, besides turning the Felda community as a smart and sustainable community,” he said in his welcoming address at the launch of Felda 2.0 initiative in Felda Lurah Bilut here yesterday.

The initiative launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak also proved Felda’s continuous effort to improve the aspects of socio-economy, environment, education, technology and health at all its settlements nationwide.

The Johor Bahru MP, who was appointed as Felda chairman in January last year, also stressed that Felda development would not be focused on the aspects of technology and infrastructure, but would protect and preserve the environment as its future asset.

“I’m impressed with the natural beauty of Felda Lurah Bilut landscape and the two rivers. We will treat the waters from the Bilut and Kertau rivers for their consumption,” he said.

On the selection of Felda Lurah Bilut as the first Felda settlement to be injected with digital elements, Shahrir said the project would steer the Felda community into becoming an open and connected community.

Fourteen public and private agencies were involved as partners in the Felda 2.0 initiative, including the Malaysian Rubber Board, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, CIMB Bank, Hasanah Foundation and Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad.