KUCHING: Matters pertaining to land in the state come under the purview of the state government. Period.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg made this clear when reacting to the Federal Department of Lands and Mines’ (JKPTG) proposal to standardise land premium rates to avoid public interest projects being disrupted.
“Cannot. Because land is under the power of the Sarawak government, and it is already stated in the Constitution.
“Unless there is an agreement (to lower the rate). Land is not under the absolute power of the federal government …land is under the power of Sabah and Sarawak governments,” he said.
He said this to reporters during the Gedong District Hari Raya open house at the Datuk Patinggi Ali Hall in Gedong on Sunday (Apr 30).
Abang Johari explained that land matters in the states in West Malaysia would be different as they come under the National Land Code.
“They (states in West Malaysia) follow the National Land Code while ours (Sabah and Sarawak), we have our own Land Code. (It is) our autonomy,” he said.
Earlier, Berita Harian reported that JKPTG is currently drafting a proposal to standardise the land premium rates charged by the state governments to avoid public interest projects from being disrupted or the cost rising too high.
It also reported that the JKPTG proposal will be submitted to the National Land Council (MTN) soon so that all state governments could reach an understanding on the land premium rates for federal government projects such as the construction of schools, affordable houses, police stations, hospitals and army camps.
