Abang Johari (left) alongside Dr Abdul Rahman (second left), Wan Junaidi (third left), Abdul Karim (fifth left), Morshidi (sixth left) and other dignitaries giving the thumbs-up as they pose next to a Darul Hana sign at the Darul Hana Development Project.
KUCHING: The state government has decided to give a discount on land premium in resettlement schemes across the state with immediate effect.
This was announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg yesterday.
“I have made a decision today (yesterday) and we will give a discount for the whole of Sarawak,” he said at his walkabout programme at the Darul Hana Block 1A/2A (Phase 1) Development Project site here.
He shared that his decision was made following his visit to Kampung Maludam Resettlement Area yesterday morning, where he said he felt the burden faced by the people there.
“They have to pay land premiums so that’s why I decided to slash the land premiums,” he said without giving further details.
Meanwhile, a state government source told The Borneo Post that a detailed announcement on the discount would be made today.
The chief minister also pointed out that a new approach for resettlement schemes will be implemented, in which the state government will cover the cost of constructing drainage, roads and levelling of sites.
“This is one of our efforts to ensure that the people will be able to construct their house easily without having to incur more cost.”
Earlier, Abang Johari approved an allocation of RM8.6 million for the construction of an Islamic Garden at Darul Hana Mosque.
This garden, he said, will enable just-married couples to take memorable photographs after holding their ‘akad nikah’ (solemnisation) ceremony at the mosque.
“The Darul Hana Mosque has become an attraction since its completion particularly for couples who are holding their solemnisation ceremony here.
“At the mosque itself, we have a special room for ‘akad nikah’ ceremonies and once the Islamic Garden is completed, it will serve as the perfect venue for the couples to take photographs of their special day,” he explained.
On the Darul Hana Development Project, Abang Johari said the first phase, which is expected to be completed within two to three years, will involve the relocation of three villages; namely Kampung Panglima Seman, Kampung Semarang and Kampung Pulo Ulu.
Residents who are affected will receive a new house based on the value of their current house and land for free.
“They just have to bring along their belongings and move into their new home which is free,” he said, while advising the future residents not to sell their new houses.
According to him, the minimum value of a housing unit under this project is estimated to be around RM300,000.
He added that the overall Darul Hana Development Project is expected to be fully completed within the next 20 years.
Present were Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Assistant Minister of Rural Electricity Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi and State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Morshidi Abdul Ghani.
A double-storey showhouse unit at the Darul Hana Development Project. — Photos by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
Abang Johari gesturing as he visits one of the showhouse units at the first phase of Darul Hana Development Project.