SIBU: The Sarawak Government has disbursed RM4,487,903 in compensation to landowners affected by the construction of the new Teku-Pasai Siong-Kemuyang road under the Projek Rakyat initiative.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said land acquisition was sometimes unavoidable in implementing public infrastructure projects such as roads, electricity supply, water facilities and bridges.
He stressed that the government did not take people’s land without compensation, as all acquisitions were carried out according to the provisions of the Sarawak Land Code (Chapter 81) and Article 13 of the Federal Constitution.
“It involves 181 cheques for 170 recipients, and the government will issue land titles under Section 18 of the Sarawak Land Code.
“These titles are exempted from land tax and premium, and they come with perpetuity tenure – as long as the moon and stars exist, the land remains ours.
“No one can be deprived of their property except in accordance with the law, and no law shall allow the compulsory acquisition of property without adequate compensation,” he was quoted as saying in a UKAS news report.
His speech was delivered by Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment, Datuk Len Talif Salleh, at the presentation of Bumiputera Communal Reserve Gazette (Section 6), Section 18 land titles and compensation cheques for the Sibu Division today.
Awang Tengah said compensation amounts were assessed by the Sarawak Land and Survey Department based on current market value, including crops, structures and affected land area.
He said the government remained committed to carrying out continuous basic infrastructure development to bridge the development gap between urban and rural areas while supporting local economic growth.
“Infrastructure such as roads, electricity and water supply must be developed continuously and in phases.
“The Sarawak Government wants rural communities to enjoy the benefits of development, just as those living in urban areas do,” he added.
As of October 31, 2025, a total of 106,467 individual lots covering 127,016 hectares (313,863 acres) have been surveyed.
Of these, 34,507 lots covering 48,029 hectares (118,682 acres) have been issued titles under Section 18 of the Sarawak Land Code.
The event also saw the presentation of 195 Section 18 land titles involving approximately 397.84 hectares (983 acres) to 131 recipients.
In addition, five Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contribution cheques totalling RM35,000 were handed over to Kampung Banyok Community Hall, two JKK Kampung Banyok committees, Kapitan Loh Hui Kiong, and Tuai Rumah Charlie Jengging.
