Felda said this significant step continues the long history of cooperation between the two parties, dating back to 1969 through the Land Development Agreements (Terengganu Agreement), based on the Land Act (Group Settlement Areas) 1960.
“This solution will deliver economic benefits to the Felda community, supporting its socioeconomic agenda and well-being,” it said in a statement today.
Felda also thanked the federal government for facilitating the agreement, as well as the Terengganu government and other parties involved in finalising it.
The six districts in question are Besut, Setiu, Dungun, Hulu Terengganu, Marang and Kemaman.
Last month, Bernama reported deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as saying that a series of discussions had taken place between Terengganu’s state secretary and Felda’s control division, paving the way for a settlement.
The dispute involved 15,000ha of land cleared for 10 Felda plantations. The Terengganu government had accused Felda of trespassing by operating on the land for over 40 years without paying land premiums, taxes or share of profits.
Trespass notices were served simultaneously on the plantation managements. However, the state government later extended the remedy period for Felda to allow negotiations for a lasting agreement.
Meanwhile, Terengganu state secretary Azmi Daham released some details of the agreement, Bernama reported.
“Based on the outcome of the negotiations, Felda will submit an application for land alienation to the state authority within the agreed timeframe after the signing of the agreement.
“The Terengganu government will process the application and, subject to approval by the state authority, issue land titles to Felda with the imposition of premium payments and quit rent in accordance with the National Land Code and the Terengganu Land Rules 1966,” he said in a statement.
He said the Terengganu government remained committed to providing full cooperation to Felda to facilitate the process of issuing land titles for all the lots involved.
Terengganu menteri besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar expressed hope that the outcome of the negotiations between the state government and Felda would resolve all outstanding issues.
“The state government has been committed from the outset to all negotiation efforts.
“Alhamdulillah, we hope the outcome of the negotiations between the Terengganu government and Felda will put an end to all previous issues,” he said in a post on his official Facebook page today.