PKR wants explanation on perimeter surveyed lands in Betong

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KUCHING: PKR Betong branch wants Betong MP Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas to explain his disclosure that Betong has been perimeter surveyed under Section 6 of the state Land Code.

Its chairman Vernon Aji Kedit cited a report published in Utusan Borneo’s Berita Iban section on March 15 that Uggah had unequivocally confirmed at a function in Matop Longhouse in Paku that lands cultivated under the Getah IRAD scheme had been perimeter surveyed under Section 6 of the Land Code.

“This candid yet glaring admission by the MP that Temuda (farm lands) in Betong have been surveyed under Section 6 without the landowners’ full knowledge and consent is a grave matter as it may involve a lack of transparency on the part of the YB,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.

“Did the minister execute his duty and take reasonable steps to inform the landowners of the ramifications of such survey and the effects of Section 6 prior to the implementation of the Getah IRAD scheme?” asked Vernon, who is state PKR information chief.

“Did the minister or his ministry inform the landowners that Section 6.1 of the Land Code states that any land surveyed under this section is deemed Communal Reserve that is mutually shared between the government and the landowners? The term used in Malay is ‘Tanah Rizab Gunasama bersama Kerajaan’ which translates as ‘Tanah Galau Bekunsi Enggau Perintah’ in Iban.”

He further questioned Uggah whether he or his ministry informed the landowners that Section 6.3 very clearly stated that such communal reserves were and had always been considered State Land and that only after perimeter survey, the government recognises the landowners as merely licensee holders.

“Did the minister or his ministry inform the landowners that Section 6.4 gives the government absolute power to repossess these lands at any given time and the amount of compensation is strictly at the discretion of the Lands & Survey and not based on commercial rates?

“Did the minister or his ministry make it very clear to the scheme participants that once their Temuda (farm lands) have been perimeter surveyed, they cannot stop the government from repossessing these lands at any time and neither can they negotiate the amount of compensation?”

Vernon, who is PKR’s potential candidate for Layar, said PKR Layar Standing Committee insisted that the Betong MP answers these questions immediately as many scheme participants were now extremely concerned as to the status of their Temuda (farm lands) and were asking why they were not informed of the effects of this perimeter survey under Section 6 on their lands before participating in the scheme.

“Our final question to the minister is will he convert these perimeter surveyed Temuda (farm lands) from Section 6 to Section 18 which gives the landowners absolute ownership, and if so, when?”