Proposed Bumiputera Land Corporation divisive and unconstitutional – LDP
KOTA KINABALU: The Federal Government has been strongly urged to scrap the proposed Bumiputera Land Corporation as it is divisive and unconstitutional.
“I call on the Federal government to reject outright the ill-advised proposal by Deputy Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Bin Zahid Hamidi to establish a Bumiputera Land Corporation (BLC) that would forcibly acquire privately-owned land from non-bumiputera owners,” said Liberal Democratic Party Vice President David Ong.
He said this proposal from Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, is obviously unfair and raises serious constitutional concerns over discrimination and violating property rights.
“This BLC proposal to compulsorily acquire 20% of agricultural land over 50 acres and industrial land over 20 acres upon lease renewal or extension is discriminatory, legally questionable, and economically destructive.
“If such proposal is implemented, that means someone who has bought 50 acres of land and spent his lifetime in developing it into an oil palm plantation, will find 10 acres of his land with fruit bearing palms snatched away from him despite his legitimate right to renew the lease term upon expiry,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
Ong further pointed out that such policy will cause immense disruption to businesses, plantations, factories and the economy as a whole. Landowners and businesses have legally renewed leases for decades with an expectation of continuity. Forcibly seizing productive assets would undermine investor confidence and the security of property rights.
Such a scheme violates constitutional principles of equality and equal protection for all citizens by selectively redistributing private property based solely on racial grounds. Seizing productive assets by force in this manner would be an abuse of government power amounting to unconstitutional racial discrimination.
Ong said government policies should be fair and apply equally to all races. Enacting discriminatory policies that favour one race over others goes against the principles of equalities and unity.
“This controversial BLC plan must be scrapped before it creates unnecessary social tensions and economic turmoil that damage the nation’s progress and unity,” he added.
Zahid said the proposed Bumiputera Land Corporation to increase the community’s land ownership, would help ensure the preservation of Bumiputera land ownership as a foundation for economic stability and to safeguard national identity.
“I recommend that 20% of all leased agricultural land exceeding 50 acres and industrial land of more than 20 acres be managed by this corporation after the lease period expires or even if an extension is granted,” he said at the recent Bumiputera economic congress.
He said this initiative would not only ensure the preservation of racial demographics in these areas but also guarantee the sustainability of Bumiputera areas for agriculture, manufacturing, and residential development.