16 September 2015: Shipping 20,000 farmers into city on Sept 16? Poll: Sept 16 rally finds little traction among Malays

What’s your motive for shipping farmers into city on Sept 16? NGO asks Felda Monday September 14, 201511:00 AM GMT+8; National Felda Settlers Children Association (ANAK) president, Mazlan Aliman said the farmers had received a letter dated Friday informing them Felda would be ferrying them into the national capital in Jalan Conlay for an event on September 16 to kick off at 11am called  “Himpunan Warga Felda Sempena Hari Malaysia”.... However, a sceptical Mazlan demanded Felda general manager Datuk Hanapi Suhada explain the purpose of holding an event in the city on the same day as a similarly-named rally called “Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu” organised by Malay martial arts group Persekutuan Silat Kebangsaan Malaysia (Pesaka). “What does it mean ‘Assembly that represents the unity and togetherness of Felda settlers’ along with the attendance of organisations and non-governmental organisations?” Mazlan asked in his Facebook page yesterday. “Is it related to the ‘Red Shirts’ rally that will be held on the same day?” he questioned further, and demanded Felda also clarify if it was using the land authority’s public funds to bus in farmers for the event.... Mazlan said that if the event was related to the rally, it should be cancelled immediately as Felda needed to focus on handling the settlers’ well-being and not drag them to an event that will be harmful to them.... Felda will be sending about 20,000 settlers from various states in 500 buses to Kuala Lumpur on September 16 for their event.... http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/whats-your-motive-for-shipping-farmers-into-city-on-sept-16-ngo-asks-felda#sthash.vnd3RZcK.dpuf

Poll: Sept 16 rally finds little traction among Malays Published Today 3:38 pm     Updated Today 4:58 pm; The ‘Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu’ rally has found little traction among Malay voters, according to independent pollster Merdeka Centre. This is despite the rally being touted as a gathering to uphold Malay dignity and to counter the predominantly Chinese Bersih 4, which saw participants stomping on images of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang. A telephone survey by Merdeka Centre showed that only 24 percent of respondents supported the rally. Of these, eight percent expressed strong support, while 16 percent of respondents expressed some support. https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/312403

15 September 2015: FGV shares rise as much as 30% yesterday amidst Najib economic-share market stimulus plan. Malaysia Day tomorrow, with "red shirt" rally

Najib’s economic stimulus lifts stocks   By Esther Lee / digitaledge Daily   | September 15, 2015 : 9:14 AM MYT; The promise of a RM20 billion injection into ValueCap Sdn Bhd was a positive for investors, which will then be used to invest in undervalued Malaysian companies. To give some context, RM20 billion represents about 2% of the KLCI’s market capitalisation of RM944.21 billion as at yesterday’s close. Established in 2002, ValueCap is an equity investment firm that is owned by Khazanah Nasional Bhd, Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan) and Permodalan Nasional Bhd.... http://www.theedgemarkets.com/my/article/najib%E2%80%99s-economic-stimulus-lifts-stocks

Felda gets UMA query on share price surge Published: 14 September 2015 9:01 PM Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGV) has been issued an unusual market activity (UMA) query by Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd, after the sudden sharp rise in its share price today. FGV's counter rose as high as 30% to trade at RM1.65 today. The stock has been on a slide since early this year, plunging to its historical low of RM1.19 on August 26. - See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/business/article/felda-gets-uma-query-on-share-price-surge#sthash.GlpVzP9B.dpuf

No marching allowed for ‘red shirt’ rally at 3 spots, says Zahid BY RAM ANAND Published: 15 September 2015 12:16 AM - See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/no-marching-allowed-for-red-shirt-rally-at-3-spots-says-zahid#sthash.iGJ48Hn2.dpuf
BN parties agree to disagree on ‘red shirt’ rally, says Najib BY RAM ANAND Published: 15 September 2015 12:01 AM | Updated: 15 September 2015 7:08 AM - See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/bn-parties-agree-to-disagree-on-red-shirt-rally-says-najib#sthash.Pa84T87M.dpuf

7 September 2015: Felda stronghold helps Najib's grip on power, What’s 20,000? Felda settlers alone can top Bersih 4 turnout - Najib says

Felda stronghold maintain Najib’s grip on power BY RAM ANAND Published: 6 September 2015 8:55 AM....  Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's claim that he could easily muster thousands of settlers under a rural plantation scheme to rival the crowds at the Bersih 4 rally could well be true when it comes to Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) settlers in his own constituency of Pekan, in Pahang. Pekan's eight Felda settlements are home to some 16,000 registered voters. At one visited by The Malaysian Insider recently, Felda Chini, the prevailing sentiment is one of gratitude to Najib's father, second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, who set up the scheme which gave thousands impoverished rural folk land, homes and a second chance at life..... Pekan Umno division committee member, Abdul Rahim Yahya, is one such person. "We grew up knowing only hardship. Then we came here, and we had land to work on, we became settlers, we could live a decent life," Rahim, a Felda settler, told The Malaysian Insider on a recent visit there. Similarly, Chini assemblyman Datuk Abu Bakar Harun, who is close to Najib, is also a second generation Felda settler. "There is consistent aid given out to us. We get BR1M, we get allowances at the start of school every year for the children," Abu Bakar said. In Felda settlements, Rahim said, people are happy as their needs are provided for. Sentiments against Najib and calls for his resignation over controversies surrounding 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and the RM2.6 billion in his personal accounts are but distant echoes to them.....Najib almost lost Pekan in the 1999 general elections, winning by merely 200 votes, but that is something that will not happena again, Rahim said. "That time, he was not mesra (friendly). Now, he is. He doesn't come here too often but when he does, the reception is fantastic. The people turn up for him," he said. "Even his wife (Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor) is friendly now. She sits down with the people and talks to them. So, we are thankful for all of this," he said.... In Johor, a staunchly BN state, for example, 86% of Felda voters chose the BN. These figures were reported in a research paper by Khor Yu Leng that was published by Universiti Sains Malaysia after the last general election in 2013. It was estimated that Felda settlements nationwide represented a vote bank of about 1.2 million voters, or almost 9% of the total voting populace. As such, they are important strongholds for BN and its lead Malay party, Umno, of which Najib is president..... http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/felda-strongholds-hold-the-fort-for-najib#sthash.3TW5oTrS.FqJupYc1.dpuf

Not easy to unseat Najib, his GE13 challenger tells Dr Mahathir BY V. ANBALAGAN, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR Published: 30 August 2015 12:01 PM - See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/not-easy-to-unseat-najib-his-ge13-challenger-tells-dr-mahathir#sthash.EY7YT8vY.dpuf

What’s 20,000? Felda settlers alone can top Bersih 4 turnout, Najib says... Sunday August 30, 2015 - There might have been 20,000 people at the rally, as reported by some media, but I am sure only 20,000 are a little dissatisfied. The rest of the Malaysian population are with the government,” he was quoted as saying at the national-level Felda Settlers Day celebration in the Gong Badak indoor stadium in Kuala Terengganu on the east coast of peninsular Malaysia. The prime minister dismissed the number as insignificant, saying those supporting his Barisan Nasional (BN) government numbered in the hundreds of thousands as opposed to the tens of thousands that were reported to have hit the national capital last night..... “What is 20,000, we can gather hundreds of thousands. Felda settlers alone could make the numbers,” he was quoted saying further.... http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/whats-20000-felda-settlers-alone-can-top-bersih-4-turnout-najib-say#sthash.6abP0sbE.dpuf
(editor's note: other reports on the Bersih rally in KL point to 300,000 on its second day)

More homes to be built for Felda settlers  by sharanpal singh randhawa Updated: Monday August 31, 2015 MYT 11:35:32 AM  http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/08/31/More-homes-to-be-built-for-Felda-settlers/

Najib announces RM88.8 million for Felda settlers, payment starts next week Published: 7 July 2015 8:39 PM - See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/najib-announces-rm88.8-million-for-felda-settlers-payment-starts-next-week#sthash.XnILZejI.dpuf

Shareholders get assurance of continuous dividend payments  5 September 2015 @ 11:00 AM; FELDA Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGV), the world’s largest crude palm oil (CPO) producer, has given an assurance that it will continue to pay dividends to shareholders even during this challenging economic conditions. Its president and chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Emir Mavani Abdullah said FGV is operating more efficiently. Its operating expenses and cost of production have also improved. “I want to tell my major shareholders, including the 112,635 settlers nationwide, that FGV will continue to provide dividends even during difficult times. The company is making money, not losing money.”... http://www.nst.com.my/news/2015/09/shareholders-get-assurance-continuous-dividend-payments

54 Gabonese settlers undergoing training at Felda schemes   6 September 2015 @ 10:28 AM   KUALA LUMPUR: Gabon-based OLAM Palm Gabon SA has sent 54 Gabonese settlers to undergo a four-month training at Felda land schemes in Trolak, Perak and Tekam, Pahang.  The training, which entails a one-month stint on farm management and another three months on oil palm cultivation, is being conducted by Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd’s (FGV), FGV Organisational Learning and Development Manager Saiful Nizam Yahaya said..... http://www.nst.com.my/news/2015/09/54-gabonese-settlers-undergoing-training-felda-schemes

23 August 2015: PM Najib urges FGV shareholders and Felda settlers to accept Eagle High deal, due diligence due end August, FGV to investigate migrant worker abuse claim, call for bauxite licences at Felda Bukit Goh

Felda shareholders told to back plantation buy By Zulaikha Zulkifli; Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today urged the shareholders of Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGV) not to be swayed by those instigating them to oppose the proposal to purchase PT Eagle High Plantation. According to Najib, FGV shareholders should be rational in making the decision, and that they should not miss out on the golden opportunity to purchase PT Eagle shares. https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/307591

PM coaxes Felda settlers into okaying EHP purchase FMT Reporters | August 6, 2015; Najib Razak says it is a good investment marred by certain parties who are trying to influence them into rejecting it... http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2015/08/06/pm-coaxes-felda-settlers-into-okaying-ehp-purchase/
 
Felda Global stake buy on track, no fallout in Eagle High deal Wednesday, 5 August 2015 By: HANIM ADNAN; http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2015/08/05/FGV-stake-buy-on-track/?style=biz
 
FGV to end due diligence exercise on PT Eagle acquisition by end of month Tuesday August 4, 201503:12 PM GMT+8 - See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/fgv-to-end-due-diligence-exercise-on-pt-eagle-acquisition-by-end-of-month#sthash.Gr1q5pbp.dpuf

FGV shortlists five bidders for Canada's asset Posted on 11 August 2015 - 03:07pm  Lee Weng Khuen; KUALA LUMPUR: Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd has shortlisted five bidders for the disposal of its non-profitable canola and soybean crushing and refinery business in Canada.
CEO Datuk Mohd Emir Mavani Abdullah said the company is in final talks with five international firms. http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1516302

Palm-Oil Migrant Workers Tell of Abuses on Malaysian Plantations - Global palm-oil industry contributes to human trafficking, rights advocates say By Syed Zain Al-Mahmood   July 26, 2015 1:55 p.m. ET JEMPOL, Malaysia—On a sun-scorched hillside, bulldozers clear land to plant more of the trees that yield palm oil, which is used in everything from Oreos to Pop-Tarts to Old Spice deodorant. Demand for palm oil has surged in recent years, making it the most-consumed vegetable oil in the world.  Nearby, an army of migrant workers toils in the heat, using long poles with attached sickles to saw off fruit bunches high in the trees, then... http://www.wsj.com/articles/palm-oil-migrant-workers-tell-of-abuses-on-malaysian-plantations-1437933321
 
Felda to investigate claims of worker abuse Published: 27 July 2015 7:59 PM - See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/felda-to-investigate-claims-of-worker-abuse#sthash.zpIxRPds.dpuf
 
Call for bauxite licences in Felda scheme July 26, 2015  After settlers run into problems clearing land, committee urges state to help; KUANTAN: The Pahang government has been urged to issue bauxite mining licences to 32 contractors who have made deals with settlers of Felda Bukit Goh to carry out mining on their land. Bukit Goh Bauxite Coordinating Committee chairman Abd Wahid Abd Manaf said problems would arise for settlers who had signed agreements with contractors to mine bauxite on their plantations.... http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2015/07/26/call-for-bauxite-licences-in-felda-scheme/

Despite dropping share prices, Najib says FGV still has prospects BY RAM ANAND Published: 12 July 2015 7:48 PM - See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/despite-dropping-share-prices-najib-tells-settlers-theres-still-prospect-in#sthash.ZO1BzM4c.dpuf

The evolution of Felda Published: 18 July 2015 9:42 AM - See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/the-evolution-of-felda#sthash.VSkypYAN.dpuf

Cow thieves beaten by Felda settlers, force-fed cow dung & their car SET ON FIRE Friday, 24 July 2015 16:32    http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=559572:cow-thieves-beaten-by-felda-settlers-force-fed-cow-dung--their-car-set-on-fire&Itemid=4#ixzz3jdx00Xna