Taib rescinds controversial acquisition of Bako land in S’wak
By Calvin Yeo, The Star
KUCHING: Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud has decided to rescind the compulsory acquisition of Bako land following the advice of his deputy Tan Sri Dr George Chan.
Dr Chan said all land placed under Section 47, with some dating back to 1973, pertaining to the compulsory acquisition exercise would now be released.
“I met with the Chief Minister yesterday (Wednesday) and he decided that the state government would lift Section 47 on those lands.
“I have instructed the Land and Survey Department to process this as soon as possible.
“The legal effect will be that the land now under private ownership will not be taken over or acquired by the state government,” he told a press conference at his ministry here Thursday.
Section 47 of the code is a notice to landowners that the government intends to acquire their land for public purposes.
It means the land owners cannot develop the land, inhabit or build structures on the land.
Dr Chan, who is also Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president, said Taib had also accepted his advice that the area be developed by the private sector.
“This would be in accordance with the Economic Transformation Programme where the private sector is to have a more predominant role in the development of the country.
“The state government believes that the private landowners in Bako do have the capability and resources to undertake the successful development in that area, thereby, contributing to the economic growth of the Bako region,” he added.
The government would do its best to facilitate the development of the area by the private sector, he added.
“The development proposed must conform to the approved structure plan which will be made known to the public,” he said.
The government first gave notice to the landowners of its intention to acquire the land in early 1973. More land was frozen last year.
The opposition, particularly DAP, has made the Bako land freeze an issue in all past elections and DAP lawyers have represented some landowners who took their cases to court, all of which they subsequently lost.
