KUALA LUMPUR: Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali today defended Felda settlers who were branded “lazy” and “breeding like cats” by celebrity chef Datuk Redzuawan Ismail, popularly known as Chef Wan.
Azmin said the latter’s view of the settlers was a personal one.
He said he believed that Felda settlers had a bright future and potential if they continued to support the government’s initiatives.
“Never mind, it was his (Chef Wan’s) personal view. What is important right now is as the government, we have tabled a new policy in Parliament for Felda settlers.
“Yesterday, we could see that the prime minister’s (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) speech received a positive reaction from the settlers.
“This morning, I had a discussion with the prime minister and he wants action to be taken immediately to ensure the success of the initiative,” he told reporters in Parliament.
Chef Wan, who was presented with the Felda Icon award during the Settlers’ Day 2019 celebration in Rompin on Sunday, took to Instagram to tick off “lazy” Felda settlers who refused to help themselves and waited for government help.
He said Felda settlers should work hard to cultivate cash crops to supplement their income, amid uncertainty over palm oil prices.
Chef Wan said he had traveled to Australia, Norway and Sweden for his TV shows and saw how the people in those countries cultivated cash crops and raised livestock by making full use of the land and contributing to the economy.
In comparison, he said, many Felda settlers sold off subsidised fertiliser given to them by the government, and when they received dividends, they married two or three times and “breed like cats”.
The chef said it was all based on his experience while growing up in Felda.
Meanwhile, Azmin denied that he was “booed” during the Felda event.
He said that although there appeared to be “some commotion” at the back among the crowd while he was delivering his speech, he believed that it was not meant for him.
“We were welcomed by Felda settlers, who came as far as Sabah and Perlis to celebrate not just Settler’s Day, but to also meet the prime minister and welcome the new initiatives presented in a white paper for them,” he said.
Pressed further if he was booed as Pahang was an Umno-held state, Azmin replied: “No. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail was present, along with state exco members.
“We have a good working relationship with the state government. Even before we came for the event, I received a letter from the menteri besar to discuss infrastructure projects in the state.
“(And) yesterday, the prime minister in his speech has announced three mega projects in Pahang.
“This shows that the Federal Government has never sidelined Pahang,” he said.