KUCHING, July 12: The State Legislative Assembly was today told that a motion to amend the Land Code (Amendment) Bill, 2018 in order to increase the 500 hectare limit for ‘native territorial domain’ had been given to all lawmakers.
In his winding-up speech, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said this move was adopted in view of the concerns raised by 22 assemblypersons when debating the Bill yesterday.
Uggah noted that limiting the claimable size to 500 hectares under Section 6A of the Bill might not be “fair and just” as the requirement and needs of some communities might exceed that threshold.
“The (state) government has taken note of the suggestions and proposals (made). As you are aware, a motion to amend the Bill to increase the area in the manner proposed in the motion has been circulated to the Honourable Members of this House.
“The above proves that the government is listening, and where the proposal is reasonable, we will adjust to accommodate the proposal as evidenced above,” he said.
Uggah also addressed the proposals by several assemblymen that native communal titles be granted not just in perpetuity but to be free of premium, rent and other charges.
“This has always been the intention of the state government. However, to make the government’s intention clearer, this will be reflected through an amendment to the Bill, of which a motion to do so has been circulated to all the Honourable Members of this House,” he said. — DayakDaily
