There is going to be another Karnival Segalanya FELDA next year, and it will be bigger than ever.
Malaysia’s Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the event could be held together with Karnival Usahawan Desa, promising an even bigger turnout and visibility.
Some 500,000 people, including FELDA settlers and their family members, thronged the three-day carnival held on July 12-14 at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) in Selangor.
“Our Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi suggested that Karnival Usahawan Desa be held together with Karnival Segalanya FELDA. This will create a bigger, and more impactful event that is capable of drawing at least one million visitors, if not more,” said Ahmad Shabery.
“It’s about combining resources. Instead of three days, we can hold next year’s event over five days. This will be a good way to attract more sponsors.”
Karnival Usahawan Desa is organised by the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, of which Ahmad Zahid is also the minister.
Ahmad Shabery added that FELDA had put a value on Karnival Segalanya FELDA. The carnival, held in conjunction with Hari Peneroka (Settlers’ Day) saw multiple events being held – from masterclasses, to the selling of products.
He said there are plans to push the FELDA brand to a whole new level, insisting that FELDA resonates not just among the settlers, but also their family members and friends.
“The idea is for people to relate to the brand. In simple terms, look at how people buy Manchester United jerseys. Some buy because they are fans, others buy because they want to be associated with the team. That’s the same strategy that we are employing.
“Why are we doing this? It is because FELDA itself, when combined with the number of settlers and their family members nationwide, has some one- or two-odd million stakeholders. The idea is to tap into this demographic first, to further uplift their welfare and then showcase their capabilities to others outside the settlement.”
Ahmad Shabery said such a strategy was evident during Karnival Segalanya FELDA where brands saw the potential of the “FELDA market”.
“Now with plans to combine two big events, turning this into a mega event, it’s possible to multiply the economic returns even more. And the biggest winner will be the settlers,” he added.
