KOTA SAMARAHAN: Land acquisition is necessary to ensure the state government’s effort in increasing the development in rural areas, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
Awang Tengah said that several projects in infrastructure developments have been approved and are currently being constructed.
Therefore, he added the approved projects include upgrades and developments in coastal roads, bridges, highways, electric, water, Village Expansion Scheme (SPK), telecom towers and many others.
“With that, to ensure these projects are executed, the state government would need land acquisitions and this is something that is unavoidable.
“The land acquisition must be done in accordance with the existing provisions in the State Land Code (Chapter 81) and Article 13 of the Federal Constitution,” he said at the handing over compensations in cheques to the recipients for the development project in Samarahan division at Dewan Suarah Kota Samarahan yesterday.
Adding further, he stressed to native landowners to not think of their personal interest which could delay completion of the approved and ongoing projects.
Awang Tengah who is also Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment (MINTRED) said that projects can be built far away from the longhouses and villagers or even in the mountainous areas and it would not benefit them (native landowners).
“The state government has plans and has committed to build roads and provide water and electricity to the rural areas in the state which will involve the acquisition of the native lands,” he said.
He added that these approved and ongoing projects would be crucial to develop the state’s economy and improve the livelihood of the rural communities.
For the record, RM20 million compensation was given to 111 owners for the acquisition of native lands for road constructions in Jalan Kampung Tegelam and Kampung Sungai Alit, Jalan Kampung Sungai Tanju/ Kampung Beliong to Kampung Lubok Kura in Kota Samarahan were among the roads to be constructed.
Present at the handover were MINTRED advisor Datuk Naroden Majais and Muara Tuang assemblyman Datuk Idris Buang and Land and Survey Department director Datuk Abdullah Julaihi.
