by DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Dec 4: The Sarawak government has disbursed RM4.488 million in compensation to landowners affected by the construction of the new Teku-Pasai Siong-Kemuyang road in Sibu under the People’s Project initiative.
According to the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said land acquisition is sometimes unavoidable when implementing infrastructure projects for public benefit, including roads, water supply, electricity and bridge construction.
However, he stressed that the government does not take land without due process, noting that all acquisitions adhere to the State Land Code (Chapter 81) and Article 13 of the Federal Constitution.
“No one can be deprived of their property except in accordance with the law, and no law can provide for the forcible taking of property without adequate compensation,” he emphasised.
He noted that the initiative involves 181 cheques to 170 recipients and the government will issue land title deeds under Section 18 of the State Land Code, which are not subject to land tax, are exempt from premium, and the tenure is permanent.
He said this in his speech read by Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh at the Handing Over Ceremony of the Bumiputera Communal Reserve Gazette Section 6 of the State Land Code, Land Title Deed Section 18 of the State Land Code (KTN) and Land Compensation Cheques for the Sibu Division today.
According to him, all compensation is assessed by the Sarawak Land and Survey Department based on current value, including crops, built structures and land area involved.
Awang Tengah said the government is also committed to implementing basic development projects continuously to bridge the development gap between urban and rural areas, in addition to stimulating local economic growth.
“The development of basic infrastructure such as roads, electricity and water, needs to be done continuously and in phases.
“The Sarawak government wants to ensure that rural residents can also enjoy the fruits of development, in line with the progress of the people living in cities,” he said.
He also informed that, as of October 31, 2025, a total of 106,467 individual lots have been successfully measured, involving an area of 127,016 hectares (313,863 acres).
A total of 34,507 lots have been issued land title deeds under Section 18 of the State Land Code, covering an area of 48,029 hectares (118,682 acres). – DayakDaily
