Intense debate expected in DUN
Ba Kelalan rep says PKR strongly objects to Land Code (Amendment) Bill as it is not consistent with court’s decision
KUCHING: A fiery and active debate can be expected tomorrow ( July 10) when the Land Code (Amendment) Bill, 2018 is tabled in the State Legislative Assembly ( DUN) which sits from July 9-18.
This caution came from Ba Kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian, who is PKR Sarawak chairman, who said he was aware of the draft on the amendment, which is not consistent with the court’s decision.
“Def initely the Land Code ( Amendment ) Bi l l wi l l be something of interest. I will not tell you ( journalists) now but I think the draft is there. I will just mention it here that the draft is not in line and not consistent with the decision of the court as far as ‘ pemakai menoa’ and ‘ pulau galau’ are concerned.
“Because of that, our colleagues will participate in the debate and we will strongly oppose it. I will be stating my reasons and grounds. It (the amendment) is far, far from what we expected,” Baru, who is also Federal Works Minister, told a news conference at a hotel here yesterday.
The three Parti Keadi lan Rakyat ( PKR) assemblymen in Sarawak are Baru, See Chee How ( Batu Litang) and Ali Biju ( Krian).
Baru, whoh as been championing
Because of that, our colleagues will participate in the debate and we will strongly oppose it. I will be stating my reasons and grounds. It (the amendment) is far, far from what we expected.
the rights of Native Customary Rights ( NCR) landowners, said he had expected the state government of the day to withdraw the draft. He also noted that there had been many objections to the draft from various non- governmental organisat ions ( NGOs) and parties.
“I thought these guys (various NGOs and parties who objected to the amendment Bill) are quite well versed on the issue. They may not be lawyers but I think this issue has been debated for quite some time now.
“The grounds for objecting the draft are valid. We will wait till Tuesday whether they are still continuing with it. If they do, you expect a fiery and active debate on the proposed amendment,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is Minister of Modernisation of
Baru Bian, PKR Sarawak chairman
Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development, is expected to table the Bill tomorrow.
The Bill will be read for the second and the third time on the same day (July 10). Prior to the third reading and passing of the Bill, a debate session is open to members of the august House.
Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib are expected to grace the official opening ceremony of this DUN sitting today.
The press conference yesterday was the first of its kind given by Baru after his appointment as Works Minister.
Earlier, he pledged to work closely with fellow Sarawakian representative in the federal cabinet Chong Chieng Jen, who is Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, to serve the state.
“Both of us are in the position to speak for Sarawak in the cabinet at the federal level,” pointed out Baru.
Since he was sworn in as the Minister of Works last Monday, he said he had the privilege of having been briefed by the ministry in terms of its structure and jurisdiction as well as some development projects taking place across the nation.
“I’m just learning. At the moment, I’m just listening. I am adapting myself to this ministry,” he said.
He also called for patience from Sarawakians and Malaysians at large while his ministry is working on examining the issues faced by various development projects in the country.
“Some infrastructure and hospital projects in Sarawak need special attention.
“These will be given priority by my ministry because I’m from Sarawak and I understand the issue.
“It affects the people on the ground; therefore these projects need to be given special attention and focus. We are taking action,” added Baru.