Deadline for premium refund extended

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Awang Tengah (third left) prepares for a press conference at the State Legislative Assembly Complex Media Room. With him are Urban Development and Resources Assistant Minister Datu Len Talif Salleh (second left), International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development assistant ministers Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais (third right) and Datuk Malcolm Mussen Lamoh (second right). Also seen are Urban Development and Resources Ministry permanent secretary Zaidi Mahdi (left) and International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development Ministry permanent secretary Datu Liaw Soon Eng (right).

KUCHING: The Sarawak government has extended the deadline for land premium refund applications from Oct 31 to Dec 31.

Second Urban Development and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said this was in view that thousands of land owners who were eligible had yet to send their applications to the Land and Survey Department on the original deadline.

“The original deadline was set for Oct 31, but as of Oct 31, about 1,985 lots that were eligible for land premium refund applications had not come forward to apply for the refund.

“Thus, the state government decided to extend the deadline for land premium refund applications to Dec 31. Land owners who are eligible for the application but who have not done so are advised to apply by filling up the available form and sending it in to the Land and Survey Department before or on Dec 31,” Awang Tengah said a post-winding-up press conference.

He was referring to lots under the Resettlement Scheme (SPS) and Village Expansion Scheme (SPK), except those under Demak SPS Phase 3, 4 and 6.

“This policy involves as many as 7,174 land titles with a land premium refund amounting to RM43.4 million. The conditions for refund are lots belonging to the original owner; lots that have been transferred via Letter of Administration; or lots that have been transferred by way of ‘love and affection’ within immediate family members,” he added.

Earlier in his ministerial winding-up speech, Awang Tengah divulged that the government had carried out and were carrying out about 44 SPS and SPK projects involving 4,524 lots under the 11th Malaysia Plan.

“The projects amounted to about RM360 million, and the state government will continue the SPS and SPK programme under the 12th Malaysia Plan,” he said.

He added that the government was committed to improving the quality of life for the low-income group, specifically in SPS and SPK, where he said the government, through a new policy, would be improving specifications and basic infrastructure components in new schemes that will be carried out.

“The roads will be upgraded from gravel roads to tar-sealed roads and lots that were unfilled will be filled and levelled out. Earth drains will also be upgraded to concrete drains, and basic infrastructure such as electricity and water supply is also prepared,” Awang Tengah said.