Awang Tengah (third left) presents a land title to a recipient. From left are Rozlan, Sajeli, Abdul Karim, Naroden, Rubiah and Aidel. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: The Land and Survey Department has been instructed to find the best mechanism to convert temporary occupation licences (TOLs) to full ownership land titles.
Second Resource Planning and Environment Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said ultimately the government wants to see all TOLs converted to full ownership.
“We hope land owners will make good use of their land, as with rapid development, the prices of land will go up. Land owners should use the land to the optimum to be passed from generation to generation. Land is an asset that keeps on increasing in value,” he said prior to presenting traditional village land titles and TOLs for Asajaya yesterday.
As a result of the Land and Survey Department’s ongoing village survey programme, a total of 81 land ownership titles for Kampung Tradisi Sambir and Kampung Tradisi Bangka Semong were given out under Section 18 of the State Land Code.
A total of 191 TOLs were also issued under the Village Extension Scheme in Asajaya to recipients from Kampung Tambirat, Kampung Asajaya Masjid, Kampung Asajaya Ulu, Kampung Mang and Kampung Sebandi Matang-Ulu.
Awang Tengah said the programme enables land borders to be clearly defined and to ensure rightful ownership thus avoiding disputes.
“What is important and special about Section 18 land titles, the land owners do not need to pay any survey fee, premium or land tax and the ownership is forever, that is for perpetuity, unless the land owners sell their land to others.
“For Samarahan Division alone, a total of 49 villages have been approved for the survey programme. Out of that total, 46 villages have been surveyed and issued with land titles,” he said.
Surveys are still in the process for Kampung Pichin, Kampung Tian Sekawan and Kampung Murud Plaman.
“There will also be perimeter surveys for any native customary rights (NCR) land in the areas approved. Land owners can take the opportunity to apply for perimeter surveys for any NCR land located around their villages.
“These are all part of the government’s initiative to help the people gain ownership of what is rightfully theirs,” added Awang Tengah.
On the Village Extension Scheme, he said it is important for villagers with extended family members.
“The extended family members may want to stay around the traditional villages and the scheme enables them to build houses that are more organised and safe. The TOLs issued should not be an obstacle to those who wish to apply for housing assistance,” he said.
Among those present were Housing Assistant Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Resource Planning Assistant Minister Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais, Kota Samarahan Member of Parliament Rubiah Wang, Sadong Jaya assemblyman Aidel Lariwoo, Land and Survey Department state director Datu Sajeli Kipli and Samarahan Land and Survey superintendent Rozlan Putit.