By William Isau
SIBU, April 3: Local councils in Sarawak are expected to record a higher revenue after the implementation of the revised quit rent rate effective January 1.
Speaking at the installation of Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) councillors for the term 2023-2025 today, Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian said this is because oil palm plantations would be paying higher quit rent.
“Some oil palm plantations used to pay only RM1 million in quit rent annually. However, under the new rate, the amount is expected to increase up to RM10 million annually,” he said.
He added that the Land and Survey Department would be collecting the quit rent on behalf of the councils.
“The department will collect the levy on behalf of local councils. Why on behalf of local councils? Because the last time we asked them to self-declare, you know what happened?
“They refused to declare, and local councils cannot do anything. But now, if they still refuse to declare, the department will take action, including taking back the land,” he said.
The new quit rent rate was approved on June 16 last year under Section 30(5) of the Sarawak Land Code, and the new rate for commercial plantation land exceeding 100 acres (40.47 ha) is RM30 per ha.
This rate is RM25 per ha for quit rent, while the local government collects RM5 per ha to replace the plantation levy.
Sempurai Petrus Ngelai was reappointed as Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) chairman, and his deputy Wong Ching Yong.
Meanwhile, 13 new councillors were sworn in to make up the SRDC councillors’ team of 32 members, while 19 were reappointed.
The new councillors are Mohamad Arhman Ahmad Mahdi, Tay Yeong Soon, Yong Ing Hock, Kelvin Lau Kor Jie, Wong Sing Ing, Johnny Ganing, Jeksen Chuban, Loi Kwong Lee, Chieng Siew Yee, Baling Sumbang, Wong Hua, Dr Gavin Man Gima, and Fidel Jack Miggi.
The reappointed councillors are Amping Ranggau, Belawan Daud, Binit Madang, Collin Tinting, Christopher Kusa Buan, David Entulu, Gilber Angok Musa, Henry Kanyan Vincent Rawing, Jaafar Abdullah, Jeffery Nuing Ebom, Lawrence Lun Lupang, Michael Dee, Minggu Angga, Phuang Ton Hing, Teo Boon Siew, Ting Fu Ying and Tingaw Ubam. — DayakDaily
