Muhyiddin's Felda no longer Umno stronghold remarks 'merely propaganda'

Felda chairperson Shahrir Abdul Samad today dismissed as "mere propaganda" the claims by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president Muhyiddin Yassin that 54 Felda settlements are no longer Umno strongholds.

"This is his (Muhyiddin's) view, he is entitled to it. This is just propaganda, we both can come out with our respective propagandas," said Shahrir, who is the BN Backbenchers Council chairperson.

He said that such a statement was nothing new, especially when the general election was looming, adding that other opposition parties, such as PAS, PKR and DAP, have said it before.

"We are having our (general) election (soon). I suppose everyone should try their best," he said when met at the Felda headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

"This is (something) natural whenever an election looms; the opposition leaders will say they are better (than us)," he added.

He said that Umno-BN would work as usual to ensure the support of the Felda community.

"We are working, as usual, we know who the settlers are, we have our Umno branches in Felda schemes," he said.

When asked what are the extra strategies being drawn up to retain the support of the Felda settlers, he named, among others, good leadership and integrity as well as making sure that services for the settlers are upgraded.

Yesterday, Muhyiddin said BN should not dream that Felda settlements are still its stronghold, adding that the opposition was well received by the Felda community.

On another note, Shahrir said the investigation carried out on the purchase of a London hotel by Felda's subsidiary, Felda Investment Corporation (FIC), would not disrupt the selling off of the hotel.

He was asked about the status of Felda's plan to hive off the hotel which is currently under investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

"Even if there is a case with that particular hotel, it does not stop us from disposing it," he said. - Mkini