23 June 2015: BERNAMA: RM151mil windfall for rubber smallholders June 20, 2015 Early Hari Raya cheer with dividend payout for planters in two Risda schemes; PEKAN: More than 30,000 rubber smallholders received early Hari Raya Aidilfitri cheer today with news of a total of RM151 million dividends to be paid out for those registered with two schemes by Risda, the rubber smallholders development authority. Of the total amount, RM43.9 million will be for 16,080 participants of the New Clusters Development and RM107.2 million to 16,158 participants of its Commercial Replanting Scheme. The prime minister, Najib Razak, said he hoped the dividend payments “will put us in a more comfortable position to celebrate the coming Aidilfitri”. He said the government was committed towards helping to raise the smallholders’ monthly income and standard of living. They were part of the bottom 40 per cent of society, with an average monthly income of about RM2,500. Najib also approved a Death Benefit Scheme of RM5.24 million for all rubber and oil palm smallholders registered with Risda. The prime minister also announced an allocation of RM2 million as initial funding for the Risda Foundation, which provides aid for the education, sports and social-welfare of smallholders, their families and the staff of Risda and companies owned by the agency. Najib said an expected shortfall in federal government revenue because of falling world oil prices would be met through revenue raised by the Goods and Services Tax (GST) imposed from April 1.... http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2015/06/20/rm151mil-windfall-for-rubber-smallholders/
28 May 2015: Najib announces RM10m trust fund for Felcra settlers Thursday May 28, 2015 08:36 PM GMT+8; KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today announced a trust fund with an initial capital injection of RM10 million to help Felcra settlers raise their living standard and income. e said the Felcra Settlers Trust Fund would be handled by Felcra and would receive an annual injection of RM5 million..... He also said that Felcra had been given due attention in the 11th Malaysia Plan and that a large allocation had been provided through it for rural development. This went to show that Felcra played an important role in national development though, at times, the size of the land developed by it was small compared to that worked by Felda, he said. — Bernama; http://www.themalaymailonline.
28 May 2015: Najib announces RM10m trust fund for Felcra settlers Thursday May 28, 2015 08:36 PM GMT+8; KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today announced a trust fund with an initial capital injection of RM10 million to help Felcra settlers raise their living standard and income. e said the Felcra Settlers Trust Fund would be handled by Felcra and would receive an annual injection of RM5 million..... He also said that Felcra had been given due attention in the 11th Malaysia Plan and that a large allocation had been provided through it for rural development. This went to show that Felcra played an important role in national development though, at times, the size of the land developed by it was small compared to that worked by Felda, he said. — Bernama; http://www.themalaymailonline.