SHAH ALAM, Feb 24 — Some 363 former settlers of Felda Sungai Buaya have received their remaining compensation of RM100,000 each, finally bringing an end to a 30-year wait.
The compensation was presented to them by Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari during a thanksgiving ceremony in Bandar Sungai Buaya, Hulu Selangor yesterday.
He said that resolving the issue, which had been pending since 1994, was the result of collaboration among all parties who worked towards a resolution, despite the lengthy process.
“The issue arose when plantation land was handed over for modern development. However, around 2002, the original developer went bankrupt, leaving settlers without full compensation and house buyers without ownership rights.
“Efforts to resolve the matter resumed in 2018 when I first took office as Menteri Besar. After undergoing a long process, a final resolution was approved in October 2022.
“Today, the remaining outstanding compensation — approximately 30 per cent — is being paid, with RM100,000 allocated to each settler. This effort not only ends decades of waiting but also marks a new chapter for Sungai Buaya,” Amirudin said.
He added that the state government will now focus on developing infrastructure in Bandar Sungai Buaya, following the resolution of land ownership and compensation payments.
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Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari (left) presents the cheque and documents to a visibly moved former Felda Sungai Buaya settler during the thanksgiving and compensation presentation ceremony in Bandar Sungai Buaya, Hulu Selangor, on February 23, 2025. — Picture by HARUN TAJUDIN / MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
“There have been many requests related to schools, mosques, clinics, and other essential facilities. By June, or at the latest next year, we should be able to allocate funding.
"I do not want to make promises because everything must go through the proper process and be included in the budget first.
“Once land ownership issues are resolved, we will gazette areas for mosques, schools, clinics, community halls, and other public amenities,” Amirudin said.
Bandar Sungai Buaya was originally a Felda settlement, but its gazettement under the Land Act (Group Settlement Areas) 1960 was revoked in 1995.
The revocation was in line with applications from landowners to allow for development in the area. However, the appointed developer failed to proceed due to an economic downturn.
In November 2022, the Menteri Besar announced that 3,580 Bandar Sungai Buaya residents had begun receiving their land titles in stages.
Amirudin said that residents had been denied ownership rights due to the negligence and failure of the appointed developer to fulfil their responsibilities and obligations.
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Two visibly emotional former Felda Sungai Buaya settlers hug one another during the thanksgiving and compensation presentation ceremony in Bandar Sungai Buaya, Hulu Selangor, on February 23, 2025. — Picture by HARUN TAJUDIN / MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
