SANDAKAN: The Sabah Land Development Board (LKTNS) has distributed RM4.62 million in surplus income for 2025 to 300 settlers in the Eastern Region, reflecting improved plantation management and oil palm yields in the area.
Its Chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Mohamad Yassin, who is also Nabawan Assemblyman, presented the symbolic distribution on Saturday at the Sungai Manila Estate Office.
He was accompanied by LKTNS General Manager Datuk Syaheddrul R Joddari. The event was witnessed by Sungai Manila Assemblyman Hazem Mubarak Musa.
Of the figure, 184 settlers in Sungai Manila received RM3.3 million, followed by 12 settlers in Suan Lamba who received RM180, 000, while Ulu Dusun settlers received RM280, 000.
The distribution will be carried out in stages from late January to early February 2026.
Syaheddrul said the increased surplus income resulted from integrated efforts involving better organised plantation management, effective cost control and significant improvements in estate yields.
“The average settler income for 2025 reached RM1, 910 per month, surpassing the target set by LKTNS,” he said.
“Fresh Fruit Bunch (FFB) production in Sandakan and Sukau recorded an increase of nearly 18 per cent compared to the previous year, contributing to higher settler incomes,” he added.
He said the achievement was also driven by continued support from the Federal and State Governments through allocation of RM2.5 million in grants for fertiliser and RM2.36 million for estate road improvements.
“Better estate roads speed up delivery of produce to mills, while the use of quality fertiliser not only reduces settlers’ operating costs but also increases oil palm productivity sustainably,” he said.
He said the successful distribution of surplus income demonstrates the LKTNS’s commitment to improving settler welfare and strengthening estate productivity, in line with efforts to boost the rural community economy in Sabah’s Eastern Region.
He hopes the distribution would motivate settlers to continue increasing yields and ensure the sustainability of the oil palm industry in the area.
