By Adib Zalkapli

KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 — A PAS central committee member Mazlan Aliman was arrested last night for allegedly trespassing a Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) settlement in Pahang.

PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub (left) said the arrest of Mazlan Aliman by the Pahang authorities is uncalled for. - Picture by Choo Choy May

Party vice-president Salahuddin Ayub told The Malaysian Insider, Felda has barred Mazlan from conducting activities within any Felda settlement.

Mazlan was arrested after a gathering at Felda Lembah Klau in Raub, Pahang organised by Anak, an organisation representing the interest of children of Felda settlers.

“I was told that Felda has banned Anak from going into Felda settlements,” said Salahuddin adding that PAS will provide legal assistance to Mazlan.

“Their action is uncalled for, and I don’t see any reason why Anak should be stopped from campaigning in Felda settlements,” he added.

An Anak official Faizal Daud told The Malaysian Insider, Mazlan was arrested after he lodged a police report to complain of the action by Felda’s auxiliary police in disrupting a rally at Felda Lembah Klau.

“The Felda management also lodged a report, and Mazlan was arrested after that,” said Faizal.

Last month Mazlan led a gathering of about 100 Felda settlers in the city centre to demand replanting funds allegedly owed to them.

They also demanded the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) to start a public investigation over their demand.

Mazlan’s campaign through Anak is part of an attempt by the Islamist party to win over the crucial Malay votes in the next general election.

Felda was formed in 1956 to oversee development of rural land for rubber and oil palm planting and to improve the economic status of the rural community.

It currently administers about 480 settlements nationwide with 112,635 settlers.