Some 600 villagers smiled on receiving the green slips. They were from Kampung Gita Tengah, Kampung Gita Laut, Kampung Gita Lama, Kampung Gita Baru, Kampung Tupong Ulu, Kampung Tupong Tengah, Kampung Tupong Batu, Kampung Sinjan, Kampung Tanjong, Kampung Sungai Bedil and Kampung Lintang.
Daud said all procedures – even if lengthy – must be followed to ensure no hitch in getting their land titles.
“The last batch of land titles received their titles in 2001, but we must remember that the process then was different than today’s. Proper measurement must be taken so that no party was given the short end of the deal,” Daud said at a handover ceremony here yesterday.
He added that the government respected the people’s property.
“There was a suggestion for the government to take the land needed for road expansion project, but a better idea was mooted to give the villagers their land titles first, then take part of their land for the project,” Daud said.
“We wanted to assure the people have full rights to their land, and the government does not simply take it. If any part of the land is needed, the owner will be fully compensated.”
He said with the issuance of the land titles, the land problem in his area could be said to be 100 per cent solved.
He did not deny that some quarters were saying the land titles were being issued due to the upcoming election.
But he said it was not true as the government was carrying out its duty to the people, and it was a continuous effort.
In Sarawak, over 34,000 land titles were issued to traditional villages, of which over 12,000 were in Kuching and over 3,000 in Tupong area.
Daud said some people were skeptical over their land titles but they could approach any bank to confirm that it is legal tender.
He urged the people not to sell land under perpetuity land titles which should be family heirlooms to be passed down the generations.
“Land prices in town now is over RM10,000 one point. What you are holding on to now is priceless because the land is getting scarce in town. Instead, they can mortgage the land to build houses or improve their homes and improve their quality of life,” he said.
Similarly, Land and Survey Department enforcer Abdullah Julaihi advised the people with land problems to go directly to the department for a clearer explanation.
“Do not listen to rumours, if you want to know regarding the land issue, go to the Land and Survey Department. Ask me, ask your assemblyman then you will get the correct answer.”
Daud who is also Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs) said the BN was not worried about Sarawak National Party (SNAP) joining the Borneo Alliance under the United Borneo Front civil rights movement of Sabah, headed by Datuk Dr Jefferey Kitingan.
“They are the same opposition. We will not fear them. It is the same group of people; last time they were under Pakatan (Rakyat), now they jump from one party to the other. They are trying to find opportunities but I’m sure the rakyat is more confident with a consistent party like BN,” Daud said, adding that BN had always been the people’s champion.
He said a new party did not be better – take a look at their manifesto and what they are fighting for.
Asked about voters who want something different, Daud asked what ‘difference’ do they want.
“They claim to want a new government? In UK there is no difference – be it under labour or liberal leadership because they still face problems,” he said.
Also present were Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusuf and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Tupong deputy branch head Councillor Dr Zaidi Suhaili.
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