18 SUHAKAM 2. Public Outreach and Engagement a) SUHAKAM Bersama Masyarakat (SBM - meet the people) Programme During the year, SUHAKAM reached out to specific community groups such as fishermen, plantation communities and rubber smallholders with cooperation from the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA), Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM), and Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA). SUHAKAM conducted a series of six SBM sessions: i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi. Plantation community in FELDA Kampung Soeharto, Selangor (6 March) Group of fishermen in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan (10 April) Group of fishermen in Tumpat, Kelantan (19 August) Plantation community in FELDA Mempaga, Raub, Pahang (17 October) Rubber smallholders in Segamat, Johor (30 October) Rubber smallholders in Baling, Kedah (29 November) Issues of concern The following were the key issues raised by the participants: i. FELDA settlers The settlers were generally dissatisfied that the current administration did not fulfil its manifesto pledge to provide for the welfare in the form of specific financial assistance. The settlers also expressed concern over the delay on the part of the agency (FELDA) in paying them their monthly special cash advances. The delay has caused much hardship to many of the settlers and their families. These advances consist of a living allowance and ‘pendahuluan hasil’ (harvest advance), both of which came in the form of a loan to FELDA settlers under the replanting programme. These delayed payments, coupled with the decline in oil palm revenue, made the repayment of loans a burden for the settlers. The settlers also highlighted their right to be informed of the outcome of the investigation report into the alleged financial mismanagement by FELDA. They expressed their hope the government would speed up the investigation process so all settlers