From struggle to legacy: Felda veteran recalls life on RM2.90

New Straits Times

a day ago

KUALA LUMPUR: The legacy of Felda's earliest settlers continues to resonate through the memories of its pioneering figures—among them, 84-year-old Md Nen Kasim.
Though now in declining health, Md Nen remains mentally sharp, vividly recalling the hardship, resilience, and unity that marked the formative years of Felda.
A former member of the Felda board of directors, Md Nen was one of its earliest settlers and a pivotal figure in shaping the agency's development.
On July 7, 1977, he was awarded the Semai Felda Gold Medal, the highest honour in recognition of his contributions to the movement.
In the late 1970s, Md Nen was also part of a historic delegation to England and the Netherlands with four other board members, Datuk Zainal Hasan, Mahmud Sarjono, Walid Makrifat, and Yeop Mahidin Mohd Sharif.
The mission, led by the late Yeop Mahidin, aimed to defend Malaysia's palm oil industry amid aggressive campaigns favouring soybean oil in Europe.
That pivotal effort helped strengthen global trust in Malaysian palm oil, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of the national economy. Md Nen is now the last surviving member of that delegation.
"I am very proud to have been chosen to go to Europe. We defended palm oil on foreign soil. Today, it has become the backbone of the nation's economy," he told Mingguan Malaysia.
Although he humbly describes his role as modest, Md Nen believes the struggles of early Felda settlers must never be forgotten, reminding Malaysians that Felda's success came through perseverance, sacrifice, and unity.
"Look at how we remember the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee – we only truly appreciated him after he was gone. Don't let that be the fate of Felda's pioneers."
Among his fondest memories was receiving the Semai Felda Gold Medal, followed by another gold medal in 1979, both symbols of his enduring service and recognition of the collective struggle of Felda settlers.
Md Nen emphasises that Felda was never just a rural development project, but rather a legacy of Malay empowerment, one that should be honoured by every generation benefiting from its land schemes.
"I still keep my Buku 555," he shared, referring to the small accounting notebook settlers used.
"Back then, wages were only RM2.90 a day — but with that, we bought rice, sardines, and milk.