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KUCHING, July 13: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Women chief Kho Teck Wan has hit back at Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak for pointing fingers at the wrong party over the Taman Kalien issue when the issuance of land titles falls under the Department of Land and Survey, which is under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development, rather than the Ministry of Housing.
Kho challenged DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen to approach Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg or Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan who are in charge of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development on the issue.
“I am surprised to learn that Chong, after serving as a people’s representative for over 19 years, lacks an understanding of the functions of ministries in Sarawak.
“As pointed out by Chong himself, the problem facing the house owners are the failure of getting the land titles for over 10 years. Land title is issued by Department of Land and Survey Sarawak, which is a department under the Ministery of Natural Resources and Urban Development,” she said in a statement today.
Kho explained that the Taman Kalien housing project in Kota Sentosa had been completed with Occupational Permit (OP) issued and house occupied more than 10 years ago. The fact that OP was issued and house owners moved in and stayed for over 10 years indicated that the houses are safe to be occupied and building phase completed.
She was referring to Chong’s statement on July 10 criticising Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian’s inaction in addressing the delay on issuing land titles to the house owners for over 10 years.
Kho also noted that Chong’s subordinate Sim Kiat Leng issued a statement yesterday (July accusing her of making baseless accusations against the developer of Taman Kalien.
“By pushing the land title issue to Ministry of Housing, he showed the true spirit of DAP by singing praise of Peninsular Malaysia’s efficiency in issuing titles.
“However, on the same day, Chong contradicted his subordinate with a statement claiming that SUPP should put people’s interest first, not developer’s. I am perplexed as to who are telling the truth to fellow Sarawakians,” she said.
Kho expressed concern and shock to be slammed by not one but two lawyers who practice law but do not seem to understand the functions and roles of ministries in Sarawak.
She reminded both individuals that intentionally and persistently directing the issue to the wrong party with the intention of misleading the public only prolongs the suffering of those who lodged complaints with DAP.
“I am certain the Ministry of Housing has its roles defined and will do its utmost best to assist troubled parties. However, since the house owners already chosen a legal champion in Chong, therefore Chong should prove sincerity with action by providing proper legal advice to solve this impasse for the house buyers,” she said. — DayakDaily
