12 FOCUS @ AGROBiz | July-August. 2025
12 FOCUS @ AGROBiz | July-August. 2025
Felda’ s fresh direction
• Felda’ s acquisition of FGV allows for complete restructuring and a return to its core mission of empowering settlers.
• Felda’ s future focus includes governance reform, agricultural diversification, and youth leadership development.
• Felda earned a Malaysia Book of Records title for hosting the largest oil palm-themed treasure hunt.
BY ADELINE ANTHONY ALPHONSO
IN a sweeping transformation aimed at charting a new course for Malaysia’ s rural development, the Federal Land Development Authority( Felda) is making headlines with a series of strategic decisions- from acquiring FGV Holdings Berhad( FGV) to launching high-value agricultural initiatives and championing the younger generation.
TAKING BACK CONTROL
With over 90 per cent of FGV’ s shares now in its control, Felda has taken the bold step of delisting the agribusiness giant from Bursa Malaysia. This move not only gives Felda independence but also removes the corporate red tape that had long distanced it from its roots.
“ Felda is no longer bound. It can decide its direction and provide assurances that settlers’ benefits and interests remain the top priority,” said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He emphasised that the delisting, which commences on Aug 28, aligns with efforts to restore FGV to its original mandate: the well-being of settlers and their communities.
FGV’ s stock value, once peaking at RM4.55 per share during its 2012 IPO, has since declined sharply. Now, under Felda’ s full control, there’ s an opportunity to right-size its business and refocus priorities, particularly those aligned with the Strategic Plan 2025 – 2030.
But the decision wasn’ t just about stocks and shares. It reflects a broader plan to eliminate overlapping roles between Felda and FGV. Both organisations had been running parallel departments— from cooperatives to hospitality— often duplicating efforts and resources.
Now, as Chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek explained, there’ s room to rethink everything.
“ This is an opportunity for us to reorganise and restructure Felda and FGV without being bound by Bursa Malaysia’ s regulations,” he said.
“ Do we need two CEOs for similar functions? Or should we start thinking like a single, focused entity?”
LEADING CHANGE
That same spirit of empowerment is now being extended to every corner of the Felda landscape— beginning with the settlers themselves. In a significant move that reflects Felda’ s renewed community-first approach, the government announced an allocation of RM100,000 to each of the 317 Felda villages— a measure previously limited to traditional villages.
The goal is to let the villages themselves decide on development initiatives best suited to their needs, whether it’ s investing in new machinery, starting homestay businesses, or improving infrastructure.
According to Felda Settlers chief Sulong Jamil Mohamed Shariff, this allocation gives settlers the autonomy to shape their futures.
“ The Prime Minister himself has agreed to extend this to all Felda schemes. It’ s a big deal,” he said.
He also called for transparency in managing the funds, reminding settlers that with greater freedom comes the need for accountability.
At the recent Felda Settlers’ Appreciation Ceremony during the Karnival Mega 3 Dimensi( MK3D) 2025 Carnival, Shabery made a point of spotlighting the youth, many of whom, he argued, are wrongly underestimated.
“ They’ re not just children of settlers. They are future leaders,” he said, recalling how students from MRSM Felda Trolak— a Feldabased boarding school— recently won the Golden Diploma Award at an international wind orchestra competition in Prague.
MRSM Trolak students are not only musically trained but also part of the Ulul Albab programme, which involves Quran memorisation, academic excellence, and leadership training.
Shabery explained:“ Why give attention to MRSM Trolak? Because it’ s a Felda MRSM.
“ And they’ ve proven they can stand tall globally.”
Parallel to its investments in education and community, Felda is making serious inroads in diversifying agriculture.
BEYOND OIL PALM
Once known almost exclusively for oil palm and rubber, the agency is now eyeing high-value crops, with MD2 pineapples leading the charge. Under the Settlers Development Programme( PPP), Felda has successfully exported its pineapples to markets in Japan, the Middle East, and China.
Over 3,700 settlers across nine schemes are now part of this initiative, which has generated RM4.9 million in trade value within just three years.
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Aqina Fruits Executive Director Wesley Tan, the project’ s operator, described the programme as transformative.
“ Since MD2 pineapple cultivation began in 2021, the project has brought new life to Felda’ s agricultural landscape,” he said.
Beyond profit, the programme has created jobs, trained young people in modern farming, and introduced automation technologies such as boom sprayers and drones.
As of July 2025, 40 young Felda descendants have been employed through the initiative.
The agricultural pivot isn’ t a standalone success story. It ties back into Felda’ s larger ambition of revitalising its image, not as a legacy agency but as a modern development engine.
MATRADE chairman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, said Felda’ s push into new crop sectors shows it’ s not standing still.
“ This is more than just pineapples. It’ s about creating high-impact projects that bring tangible benefits to rural communities,” he said at