Published: Saturday October 26, 2013 MYT 12:00:00 AM
Updated: Saturday October 26, 2013 MYT 3:03:38 PM
KUCHING: The allocation of RM50mil for Sarawak and Sabah for the perimeter survey of Native Customary Rights (NCR) land will speed up work.
Land Development Minister Tan Sri Dr James Masing said this would further reduce disputes between landowners and the government in future.
Speaking to The Star after the Budget 2014 announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday, Masing said if the perimeter survey could be done quickly, it would settle once and for all any confusion.
“The allocation of RM50mil will hasten (work on) perimeter survey in Sarawak and Sabah. This will demarcate, once and for all, land between the state and NCR.”
Masing added that the Government could develop NCR land without further disturbances.
Non-governmental organisations and the Opposition would now have no reason to accuse the government of grabbing the people’s land, he added.
“If there is any dispute, it will be only between the landowners themselves.”
Najib earlier announced the allocation of RM50mil for perimeter survey and verification of NCR land in Sarawak and Sabah.
“The Government is always concerned about the natives of Sabah and Sarawak who have been having difficulties in acquiring titles for their NCR land,” he said.
Masing also described Budget announcement as Najib keeping to promises he made during the 13th general election.
“This is a Aku Janji (I Pledge) Budget — the first after the general election.
“Apart from keeping his promises, Najib’s emphasis is correct. Money on agriculture, for instance, is catering for ‘small men’ or lower-income group. Money for education is to improve our human capital as we move forward. It is for the future.
“The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a shared responsibility form of taxing, where everyone is accountable for the upkeep of this nation. However, essential items for lower-income group are exempted; thus rakyat didahulukan (people first) as Najib pledged,” said Masing.
The GST would be implemented beginning April 1, 2015.
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