By Ling Hui
KUCHING, Oct 18: A resolution urging the state government to approve the conversion of leasehold residential and commercial land to freehold status across Sarawak is one of six resolutions passed at the SUPP delegates’ conference this year.
“We urge the Sarawak government to approve the conversion of leasehold residential and commercial land to freehold land throughout Sarawak without payment of any additional land premium,” said Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) president Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian.
The resolutions which were passed in the party delegates’ conference a day before (Oct 17) were announced during the SUPP Special Convention 2020 at the party’s headquarters here today.
At present, land for residential, commercial and agricultural purposes in the state is leased to buyers for a fixed number of years.
Once the land leases reach their expiry dates, land owners are required to pay the land premium as regulated by the government either in one lump sum or by installment to renew the leases in terms of 60 years, 90 years or 999 years.
Renewal rates for these land leases are determined by the category of land (town, suburban or country land) and usage of land (commercial, industrial, office/institution, recreational, residential or agriculture).
However, SUPP is requesting for the approval from the state government to allow the waiver of such payments.
Meanwhile, the party also resolved to fully support Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg who is also the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) president in leading the alliance into the upcoming 12th Sarawak State Election (PRN12). — DayakDaily
