Rep: Acquisition of land unavoidable in govt’s devt plans for Pakan
In many cases, the acquisition of land is unavoidable. However, the government would definitely compensate the affected landowners accordingly.
PAKAN: The provision of development programmes for Pakan, many of which are already in the pipeline, would require the acquisition of land tracts from the local owners.
In stating this, Pakan assemblyman Tan Sri William Mawan said this was unavoidable as the majority of the projects would definitely pass through some sections of the private land plots.
“In many cases, the acquisition of land is unavoidable. However, the government would definitely compensate the affected landowners accordingly.
“With a lot of development projects being planned for Pakan, more land tracts would be acquired.
“As such, I hope that the local folk would welcome these development programmes, which are all meant to benefit the district and its populace,” he said in his speech prior to presenting compensation cheques to landowners at the district office here yesterday.
The recipients are those affected by Pakan Road upgrading project, covering reinforcement and alignment works on the whole 23km stretch, which had been in use since the colonial era.
Tan Sri William Mawan
Citing this project as an example, Mawan said some section of the works areas had to pass through a number of private land plots.
“Moreover, this colonial-era roads have no reserve area to facilitate upgrading works – it was only upgraded to a tar-sealed road some 20 years ago with an allocation of RM12 million from the federal government,” said the assemblyman.
In that respect, he advised local people against ‘entertaining certain quarters, especially those from outside the district’, who were out to confuse the local folk by twisting facts about the Sarawak Land Code.
“I call upon you to have full trust in the government, as all development programmes are being planned out of sincerity to improve your livelihood.
“During my early years as the elected representative of the area, I came with ‘ small ships’ to deliver development projects, to Pakan in the hope of turning it into what it is today.
“Now, as I come on a ‘much bigger ship, laden with development projects’, I hope the people of Pakan would welcome this with open arms,” he added.
Meanwhile, four landowners affected by road upgrading project received their compensations yesterday.
They are among 10 recipients of the compensation, comprising individuals with land grants and also those whose Native Customary Rights (NCR) land is still categorised under communal reserve land, but have yet to receive payments due to certain delays.
For this batch of 10 landowners, 11 cheques totalling RM45,000 have been issued.
Deputy Sarikei Resident Abang Mohd Porkan Abang Budiman, Pakan District Officer Seruji Ludin, Land and Survey Department Sarikei superintendent Thian Choon, and Julau District police chief DSP Ismuni Omar were also present yesterday.