Govt will blacklist those selling TOL – Awg Tengah

MIRI: The Land and Survey Department (L&S) will blacklist recipients of Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL) if they are found to have sold their lot of land allocated by the government, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

He said these lots are allocated to them to build a house for them and their family and recipients are prohibited from selling the lots to others.

“The department will not recognise any TOL land sale transaction and it would be akin to buyers buying ‘hot air’,” he warned.

Awang Tengah, who is also Second Minister of Urban Development and Natural Resources, said this at the presentation of TOLs to recipients in Banting Resettlement Scheme Phase IV, Kampung Punang village extension Phase II and official opening of L&S office at Lawas District Office earlier this week.

Also attending the ceremony were federal Rural Development and Regional Deputy Minister Datuk Henry Sum Agong, Batu Danau assemblyman Datuk Paulus Palu Gumbang, Land and Survey Department (Management) deputy director Awang Zamhari Awang Mahmood, Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA) director Datu Ubaidillah Abdul Latip and Limbang Deputy Resident Sebi Abang.

Being a caring government concerned with the burden faced by the people, Awang Tengah said the state government spearheaded by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had cut the land premium by half or up to RM2,500 payable by recipients.

“Only Sarawak provides this kind of assistance of low land premium which could be paid in instalments if recipients cannot pay upfront,” he said.

On a related matter, he said the specification for infrastructure provided for both resettlement and village extension schemes has been upgraded in the 12th Malaysia Plan.

This will include tar-sealed road, concrete drainage system and supply of treated water and electricity, he added. The deputy chief minister said this involved substantial allocations by the state government as the cost per lot is about RM100,000.

Recognising the need, he said the schemes will continue to be extended throughout the state.