SIBU – The Sarawak government has disbursed RM4,487,903 in compensation to landowners affected by the construction of the new Teku-Pasai Siong to Kemuyang road, under the People’s Project.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said land acquisition is sometimes unavoidable in the implementation of public infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, electricity, and water supply.
He emphasised that the government does not take land without compensation, as all acquisitions are carried out in accordance with the State Land Code, Chapter 81 and Article 13 of the Federal Constitution.
“It involves 181 cheques to 170 recipients, and the government will issue land title deeds under Section 18 of the State Land Code. These titles are not subject to land tax, exempt from premium, and the tenure is permanent – as long as there are moons and stars, it will remain our property.
No one can be deprived of their property except in accordance with the law, and no law can provide for the forcible taking of property without adequate compensation,” he said in a speech delivered by Datuk Len Talif Salleh, Deputy Minister of Town Planning, Land Administration and Environment, during the handover ceremony in Sibu.
The compensation was assessed by the Sarawak Land and Survey Department based on current land value, including crops, structures, and the size of land involved.
Datuk Amar Awang Tengah reaffirmed the government’s commitment to bridging the development gap between urban and rural areas. He stressed that basic infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and water must be developed continuously and in phases to ensure rural communities enjoy the same progress as urban residents.
As of 31 October 2025, a total of 106,467 individual lots have been measured, covering 127,016 hectares (313,863 acres). Additionally, 34,507 lots have been issued land title deeds under Section 18 of the State Land Code, involving 48,029 hectares (118,682 acres).
At the ceremony, 195 Section 18 title deeds covering approximately 397.84 hectares (983 acres) were handed to 131 recipients. The event also saw the presentation of five Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contribution cheques worth RM35,000 to the Kampung Banyok Town Hall, two Kampung Banyok JKKs, Kapitan Loh Hui Kiong, and Tuai Rumah Charlie Jengging.
The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Tamin Assemblyman Ir Christopher Gira, Ngemah Assemblyman Anyi Jana, Sarawak Land and Survey Department Valuation Assistant Director Sr Alifian Bawi, Sibu Division JTS Superintendent Chua Soh Kee, Sibu Division Deputy Resident Christopher Ranggau Unting, and Sarawak State Development Office Director Dato Jasni Jubli.
Observers note that the compensation reflects Sarawak’s broader governance principle of safeguarding property rights while ensuring development projects proceed in the public interest. The initiative also highlights the government’s effort to balance infrastructure growth with fairness to landowners.
