Right after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim entered the ballroom at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) in Kuala Lumpur, a young ensemble took to the stage and entertained the crowd.
Playing trumpets, saxophones and flutes, the award-winning students from Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) Ulul Albab Felda Trolak moved the guests – especially Anwar. He praised the group – the Maresmaf Wind Orchestra – which recently won the Golden Diploma Award at the 2025 International Wind Orchestra Festival in Prague, Czech Republic.
“The performance of the children moved me,” said Anwar at the start of his speech, just before launching the Mega Karnival 3 Dimensi on Aug 2.
“These are children whose grandparents came from settlements cleared for agriculture. They are often associated with hardcore poverty, but these children show that with the right attention and support, they can go far.”
He was referring to villagers who are part of Felda communities nationwide. Located on the outskirts of major cities in Malaysia, these settlements – built on palm oil and rubber – have transformed the lives of many over the decades. But the Felda leadership believes more can be done to further uplift the wellbeing of settlers and their families.
One major move is Felda’s acquisition of a majority stake in FGV Holdings Bhd, paving the way for full ownership and restructuring – a fact acknowledged by Anwar.
“As soon as this matter is settled, I, together with Felda chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek and colleagues, will ensure clear guidance from the government – namely, to make sure FGV returns to Felda’s original mission … it must benefit the settlers, their rights, and the cooperative that they decide upon.”
Anwar added that the delisting of FGV is a result of Felda’s efficient management, and that the focus now must be on ensuring Felda’s projects are implemented smoothly in line with the settlers’ needs.
At the same ceremony, Anwar announced that each Felda settlement in the country would receive an RM100,000 allocation and the freedom to carry out initiatives or programmes that best suit the needs of each village.
The Mega Karnival 3 Dimensi, which began on July 30 and ended yesterday, brought together three major programmes on a single platform – the Village Entrepreneurs Carnival (KUD), One District One Industry Showcase (SDSI), and Felda Settlers’ Day celebration. The carnival was jointly organised by Felda, the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, and the Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Ministry.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, hoped that the carnival would become an annual feature held on Felda Settlers’ Day, July 7.
Beyond the annual gathering, settlers and their families now look forward to a more inclusive and sustainable future as Felda charts a new journey following its major stake in FGV Holdings.
