Najib launches Felda 2.0

(Bernama) – Felda created yet another history with the launching of Felda 2.0 at Felda Lurah Bilut, here today which was an initiative to transform and give a new look to the 317 Felda land schemes in the country.

The new initiative, which was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, not only focused on creating a Felda community that was smart and sustainable, but also resilient in terms of the economy and environment.

Felda 2.0 is an initiative that emphasises an ‘open and communicable’ strategy or approach that brings a surge in the Felda community that suits the current technological facilities and fulfilled future aspirations.

Felda Lurah Bilut was chosen as the pioneer for the programme due to its significance to the history of Felda as the first settlement that was opened in 1958 for land development programme in clusters for agriculture in the country.

The valley in the Titiwangsa Range had undergone rapid development with various facilities. In fact in November last year it was recognised as the first land scheme which had become a smart town through the Bilut Digital Valley, which was a pioneer project under the Felda 2.0 initiative.

For this year, five Felda land schemes will be chosen for transformation through this initiative and 10 more land schemes will be chosen next year.

Felda allocated RM10 million for the transformation of each land scheme selected which also attracted the participation of various other agencies including the private sector.

At the same function, Najib also launched the Bilut Digital Valley project which would benefit more than 60,000 Felda Bilut Valley residents to enjoy a living standard that was similar to that of the other town centres with the development of infrastructure and human capital.

The project also enabled the settlers to use high-speed internet facilities, which was up to 100Mbps, thus opening up economic opportunities particularly in the aspects of digital entrepreneurship, modern agriculture and ecotourism to the local residents.

Earlier, the prime minister spent time visiting infrastructure projects that had been upgraded and developed in the land scheme, namely Kedai D’Mart, Titian Razak, Co-working Space and Mural Gergasi (Giant Mural).

Also present at the event were Felda chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad and Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bentong.