10/10/04 - FELCRA settlers have another reason to cheer this coming HariRaya as they will receive dividend payments totalling RM108.5 million nextmonth. The amount is part of the RM232.2 million of dividends to be paidto 86,521 settlers by Felcra Berhad from profits made by its 1,311plantations nationwide last year.

The higher prices of rubber and palm oil have contributed to betterearnings by Felcra.

It has already paid RM100.7 million as interim dividends at the end oflast year. Others who have also received dividends were hardcore poorparticipants who got RM18.4 million and RM4.6 million to members of thepublic with shares in selected Felcra plantations.

Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Aziz Shamsuddin said morethan 20 per cent of settlers would get more than RM5,000 each while therest would receive an average of RM2,000.

"It's a windfall for them and I hope they will use the money wisely," hetold reporters here.