MODERN CONCEPT FURTHER STRENGTHENS FELDA, SAYS M'SIAN DPM

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 (Bernama) -- The Modern Federal Land Development
Authority (Felda) concept is a shot in the arm for a more focused and
professional management and operation of the land settlement schemes, Deputy
Prime Minister Najib Razak said Wednesday.

Najib said the implementation of the concept would start in July next year
and would continue until it really met the aspirations and vision of the
settlers.

"It is also hoped that this approach will launch Felda towards becoming a
global commodity trading player so that it emerges as a strong multinational
business entity," he told reporters here.

Najib said that a study done with the agreement of the Felda Board early
this year showed that several initial steps had to be taken to achieve the
objective of a having a Modern Felda.

Firstly, Felda must spur efforts to merge the Felda plots to an optimum
level and secondly, Felda must increase focus on developing the community until
it reached the middle income level, he said.

"For this purpose, a new post of Felda Deputy Director-general (Community
Development) will be created in January 2009," he said.

Besides that, the Felda Foundation would focus on welfare matters relating
to health, education and charity programmes for the well-being of the community.

Felda Global Venture Holding (FGVH) would be the key company to supervise
all companies of the Felda group starting Jan 1 and Mohd Bakke Salleh would be
appointed its chief executive officer with Ramli Putihas his deputy, Najib said,
adding that the next step would be the structure of the membership.

He said the three important components of Felda, namely Felda, its group of
companies and Felda Foundation, would be given more professional focus to
increase quality and productivity.

Felda was established in 1956 and is mainly pre-occupied with alleviating
rural poverty.
-- BERNAMA