Monaliza (third left) hands over the cheque to Tay, witnessed by Tan (fifth left) and Jong (fourth left). Ko is seen at second left. — Photo by Agnes Tugong
KUCHING: The Land and Survey Department (LSD) here yesterday handed over compensation worth RM200,000 to the Kuching Hockien Association (KHA) to acquire the land at 4 1/2 Mile Penrissen Road where 10 graves are presently located.
LSD Kuching division valuation officer Monaliza Ismail said the compensation was meant for the association to pay out to the respective descendants of those buried there in order to relocate the graves before or on June 28.
“The piece of land is at Lot 404, Block 226, Kuching North Land District (KNLD), which is opposite the Chung Hua Primary School 4 1/2 Mile. There are 10 graves on that graveyard.
“The compensation of RM20,000 each is for them to exhume (the bodies from the graves) and relocate to a new site. With this money, it is hoped that they can do it fast so that LSD can hand over the site to JKR (Public Works Department),” she said before handing over the cheque to KHA vice president Tay Yu Siang at a simple ceremony held at the District Office here.
Monaliza said the department had to hand over the land to the JKR by June 30 for a development project undertaken by the latter.
“We hope the money can assist them in relocating the 10 graves. The land is meant for realignment of the road. We had two meetings before this handover of cheque.
“They (the 10 graves) will be moved to the cemetery at Mile 14, Jalan Borneo Heights. The land size at 4 1/2 Mile Penrissen is 607 square metres or about 0.15 acres,” she said when met after handing over the cheque.
According to Tay, the association will have a meeting with the respective descendants next Tuesday (June 20) to discuss an action plan.
He informed both departments (LSD and JKR) that the Chinese usually picked an auspicious date and time for relocating graves.
“Different families have different dates and times. I understand that the land is for the implementation of the Pan Borneo Highway project,” said Tay.
Temenggong Tan Joo Phoi, who was also present, gave LSD Kuching a pat on the back for the compensation.
“LSD has done a good job. Although different families have different dates and times to move the graves, I’m sure KHA will settle the matter as soon as possible,” he said.
Pemanca Ko Wai Neng and Sarawak administrative officer of the Kuching District Office Jong Hse Jun were among those present.
It is understood that the acquired site is for a road expansion project in relation to the construction of a flyover at Mile 4 1/2.
During the State Legislative Assembly sitting last month, Assistant Minister for Coastal Road Datuk Julaihi Narawi said the construction of the Mile 4 1/2 flyover was scheduled to commence by October this year.
He added that the cost for implementing the Mile 4 1/2 flyover was estimated at RM69.96 million.
According to Julaihi, the Mile 4 1/2 flyover together with three other flyovers at Mile 6, Mile 7 and Mile 10 of Kuching-Serian Road are part of package 2 of the Pan Borneo Highway Project.
He added that the total project cost for the four flyovers was estimated at RM316.96 million.