SIBU: The Sarawak government has never seized land belonging to the people at random for development purposes or providing infrastructural facilities in the state as claimed by a handful of people.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan said that every inch of land belonging to the people taken back by the government for such purposes would be compensated accordingly.
As such, he said, the people must appreciate and realise the government’s noble intention and give their cooperation as well as support the implementation of government policies for the good of the country.
“The payment of compensation for the land proved that the government did not confiscate the people’s land as alleged by certain parties.
“The government pays compensation in a fair and reasonable manner to the land owners when the land was acquired in line with the existing allocation in the State Land Code (Chapter 81) and Article 13 of the Federal Constitution,” he said.
The text of his speech was read by Assistant Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh at the presentation of cheques for Land Compensation for the Jalan Sibu Jaya-Jalan Kong Yit Khim and Jalan Rantau Panjang-Rassau, Batang Igan Phase 1 project, here today.
A total of 110 land owners affected by the Jalan Sibu Jaya-Jalan Yong Kit Khim project stretching for 6.1 km received compensation amounting to RM7,932,270.79 and 106 land owners affected by the Jalan Rantau Panjang-Rassau, Batang Igan Phase 1 project stretching 6.8 km received compensation amounting to RM3,907,595.72.
Awang Tengah, who is also Second Minister for Urban Development and Natural Resources, said that under the law nobody can be deprived of his right or use of asset without adequate compensation.
“The Sarawak government is always sensitive to the needs of the people in the state by providing better infrastructure to speed up socio-economic development in the rural areas,” he said.
He said government efforts to speed up development in the rural areas were in line with the intention to turn Sarawak into a developed state in future. – Bernama
