KUCHING: SUPP Women chief Kho Teck Wan on Monday chided DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen for casting aspersions on the new rate for land lease renewal in the Batu Kawa area.
She said he had compared the land lease premium of 2006 with 2022, and blamed SUPP for the increase in the land lease premium.
“Chong should be well aware that the land in Batu Kawa area is classified as developed and urban land where land prices have significantly increased over the years.
“Despite having received a response during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting held in May, Chong chose to exploit this matter through social media and news outlets.
This, she claimed, suggests that his actions are aimed at diverting attention from many recent political issues happening in West Malaysia which are unfavourable to DAP.
Kho said in May during the same DUN sitting, Chong had raised the same inquiries about the reclassification of land and new premium rate, and a verbal response was delivered by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
“I am puzzled as to why Chong chose to remain silent on the land premium then but waited until now to make a big issue in the media?” she said.
She then said it is understood that land prices in the Batu Kawah area have increased from RM13 per square meter in 1993 to RM300 per square meter, a 23 fold increase.
“As reclassifying land is an essential part of urban planning, land value is determined by factors such as urban expansion, project development, building of industrial parks, distance from the city centre, and implementation of high-impact projects.
“Chong selectively ignores the potential benefits of higher land value to land owners and purposely focuses on higher land lease premium for cheap publicity,” he said.
She went on to say Chong is using a land owner’s issue as a publicity stunt.
“True sincerity means he should approach the Land and Survey Department with the land owner, instead of blaming and pushing the responsibility to SUPP,” she said.
On Aug 25, Chong in a statement said with a mere difference of one year, a landowner paid 25 times more for his land lease renewal premium than the amount that his neighbour had paid for a year ago.
Chong said Mr Tan’s land is situated at Jalan Batu Kawa, Sin San Tu, containing approximately 2.21 acres and the term of the lease of his land shall expire in December, 2026.
“As such, he applied for extension of lease of his land. He was shocked to learn that he has to pay RM11,000 for the extension of the lease of his land,” he said.
Kho requested the land owner to contact her soon to provide detailed information so proper assistance can be provided.
“SUPP has always adhered to prioritising service to people. Therefore, I hope that Mr Tan can visit SUPP Batu Kawah Branch to establish contact with me,” she said.
