What is it about?
This paper evaluates the impact of Malaysia's Federation Land Development Authority (FELDA) scheme on promoting inclusive rural development. Using a holistic approach, it examines FELDA's performance across social development, industrialization, modernization, and basic needs fulfillment. While the scheme has largely succeeded in fostering social and economic growth, challenges persist in building trust and cohesion between authorities and communities. The paper suggests that preserving traditional values within modern systems is crucial for the program's sustainability, especially if implemented in other regions.
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Why is it important?
Understanding the impact of Malaysia's FELDA scheme on rural development is crucial for policymakers to improve their initiatives. This scheme directly affects rural communities, potentially improving their living standards and creating job opportunities. Evaluating its effectiveness helps identify what's working well and what needs improvement, leading to informed decisions and adjustments. It's also important for ensuring the sustainability of the scheme by addressing challenges like building trust between authorities and communities and preserving traditional values within modern development. If successful, the FELDA model could be replicated in other regions facing similar challenges, benefiting a wider population. Ultimately, studying the FELDA scheme's influences helps promote social cohesion, governance effectiveness, and overall community well-being.
Perspectives
This article on Malaysia's FELDA scheme is insightful and important for those interested in rural development and governance. Rural communities often face unique challenges in accessing economic opportunities and essential services, making initiatives like FELDA crucial for addressing these disparities. The holistic approach taken in assessing the scheme's impacts across social development, industrialization, modernization, and basic needs fulfillment provides a comprehensive understanding of its effectiveness. Furthermore, the identification of challenges such as trust-building between authorities and communities highlights the complexities involved in implementing state-led development agendas. Preserving traditional values within modern development frameworks is particularly resonant, emphasizing the importance of cultural sensitivity and community engagement in sustainable development efforts. Additionally, the potential for replicating successful models like FELDA in other regions underscores the broader implications of this research for global rural development strategies. Overall, this article serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners seeking to promote inclusive rural development and strengthen community resilience.
Mr. Lee Wei Chang
University of Malaya
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: An attempt at implementing a holistic inclusive development model: Insights from Malaysia's land settlement scheme, Asia Pacific Viewpoint, April 2016, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1111/apv.12115.
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