PULAU CAREY, March 9- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today launched the Sime Darby Plantations Employees and Former Employees Housing Scheme here, which will offer houses at RM100,000 a unit. Under this scheme, 400 single-storey terrace houses with a floor area of 800 sq ft will be built on 40 acres (about 16 hectares) of land here for employees and former employees to own.
Lauding the initiative taken by Kumpulan Sime Darby Berhad in ensuring the welfare of its workers, Najib when launching the scheme said it could also be considered as another promise by the government fulfilled.
“This makes Sime Darby a front-runner among private and government-linked companies (GLC) in taking care of worker welfare,” he said, adding that the project would take 24 months to complete and begin upon receiving approval on
the plan and other relevant matters.
Also present were Sime Darby Berhad chairman Tan Sri Samsudin Osman, Kumpulan Sime Darby Berhad president and chief executive Datuk Mohd Bakke Salleh, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri G. Palanivel and
Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar.
Najib said the expression workers are a company’s most valuable asset should not just be spoken, but should be translated into deeds.
“When we take care of our workers, they will be loyal and productive,” he said.
The prime minister said the people’s wellbeing was important and that the country’s wealth should be enjoyed by all.
“When there is imbalance and the gap becomes bigger, we will see negative impactS, not only in terms of social problems but long-term competitiveness will also be affected,” he said.
He said in line with the national development model and philosophy practised, the government would ensure that the country’s growth rate flourishes at the highest level possible.
“We will take intervention measures so that the social security network and wealth distribution in the country is more equal and fair,” he said.
Najib also urged GLCs to hold to philosophies emphasised by the government which was to provide leadership and management with efficiency and integrity to increase their competitiveness.
“When this situation exists, GLCs can obtain more business opportunities inside and outside the country.
“This way, these companies will also achieve a positive growth rate,” he said.
Meanwhile, Samsudin, in his speech, said Pulau Carey housed more than 1,200 plantation workers or 3.2 per cent of Sime Darby’s total plantation labour force nationwide.
“The chosen area is strategic because it has infrastructure such as paved roads connecting the area to nearby highways and access to public facilities like schools,” he said.
He said Sime Darby would also build a commercial hub with facilities such as a clinic and 1Malaysia People’s Shop and multi-purpose hall for the new settlement area. The housing units under the joint scheme between Sime Darby Plantation, Sime Darby Property and Yayasan Sime Darby, will have three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
BERNAMA
