PM throws money at Hulu S’gor voters
But there is catch – Najib said that the additional money will only come provided that Selangor falls back into BN’s hands in the next general election. “We have agreed to pay RM160,000 an acre. The payment will be taken care of when the land is developed… (but) that is in your hands. Make sure that in the upcoming general election, Selangor returns to BN’s control,” said Najib.
S Pathmawathy, Malaysiakini
With only less than 48 hours to polling, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today spent his time handing out millions of ringgit to Hulu Selangor voters.
His first stop was Sungai Buaya, where he gave out long overdue cash payment of RM50,000 each to 100 of the 363 Felda settlers.
The payments were compensation promised by the BN government following a failed attempt to develop the Felda land into a northern hub.
In 1994, the Felda settlers had signed off their 10 acres of land each to a developer for RM121,000 an acre, which comes up to RM1.2 million. The total transaction involved 1,335 hectares of land.
The project was later abandoned partly due to the 1997 economic crisis, and the settlers were paid not more than RM250,000 cash in instalments.
‘Your misery ends today’
The premier, who joined the villagers for Friday prayers and later had lunch at a nearby school, vowed that BN will pour in more money to develop the area, including a RM85 million North-South Expressway interchange.
He said the construction of the elevated interchange is expected to boost property prices in the abandoned project area.
But there is catch – Najib said that the additional money will only come provided that Selangor falls back into BN’s hands in the next general election.
“We have agreed to pay RM160,000 an acre. The payment will be taken care of when the land is developed… (but) that is in your hands. Make sure that in the upcoming general election, Selangor returns to BN’s control,” said Najib.
While information is sketchy over today’s payout, it is understood that the federal government is bringing in a new developer to rescue the abandoned project and will be offering RM160,000 per acre to the settlers.
The RM50,000 from the federal government is apparently a down payment.
“Today, we are giving RM1,000 cash and RM49,000 in bank drafts. I give my word that our promises will be fulfilled,” he said.
“Your misery and your long wait ends today.
