KUCHING: The government will ensure a fair deal for the Bako landowners as far as compensation goes.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan, in stating this yesterday, said a thorough evaluation needed to be conducted in order to come up with a possible new deal, fair to both landowners and the government.
“I believe the Land and Survey Department has carried out a survey before indicating the compensation rates.
“I can understand everyone (every landowner) wants as much as possible. If you (landowners) ask too much, how are we able to do it?
“This is just one of the particular issues we face. We have to think long-term. The best is to have a fair deal for all,” he told The Borneo Post here.
He was asked to comment on the displeasure of Bako landowners, who last Saturday called for a meeting to set up a committee to demand for higher compensation from the government.
These landowners believed that the compensation rates indicated by the Land and Survey Department during an enquiry session on Oct 4 were far lower than the current market value.
The department pledged to pay RM40,000 per acre for land leases issued before 1973 and RM80,000 per acre for those issued after 1973.
However, some landowners claimed that their land was worth RM200,000 per acre and asked for higher compensation to match the market value.
Dr Chan, who is Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president, pointed out that the actual market value would not be known unless a ground study was put in place.
“You can’t put the demand so far up. I won’t know the market value because some of them might have a few transactions done in between.
“What can be promised is that the government will be fair to the people. Whatever requests they put in, we’ll consider,” he said.
He wondered why the Bako landowners turned to the Democratic Action Party (DAP) to solve the matter.
DAP Sarawak secretary and Bandar Kuching MJuember of Parliament
Chong Chieng Jen represented several landowners at last Saturday’s meeting.
“They did not come to us. They can ask for this and that and DAP will promise anything. They should know we always try our best to help the people.
“Furthermore, they should formally write to the department because the whole purpose of having the enquiry session is to get feedback from them,” Dr Chan stressed.
He advised the landowners to seek help from the SUPP, adding: “A dialogue session can be arranged to hear their views.The thing is they have to come to us.”