KOTA BELUD: Sabah’s Deputy Chief Minister II and Minister of Local Government and Housing, Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, has called on villagers to safeguard their ancestral lands, urging them to preserve and cultivate these valuable assets instead of selling them.
Speaking at a ceremony where 205 land titles were distributed under the Sabah State Native Customary Land Survey Program (Pantas) to residents of Kampung Tambatuon Tuesday, Dr Gunsalam emphasised the critical importance of land ownership, particularly within the Kadazan, Dusun, Murut, and Rungus (KDMR) communities.
“Nothing is more valuable than owning your own land,” he stated. “I hope the residents will not sell this land but utilise it to the best of their ability.”
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});The event was attended by over 300 villagers.
Joachim expressed his gratitude to the Land and Survey Department for their efficient work in surveying and issuing the land titles.
He clarified that Pantas only encompasses land already cultivated but lacking titles, excluding areas under dispute or privately owned. He highlighted the crucial role of village leaders, such as the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) chairmen and village heads, in identifying land rightfully belonging to residents.
Joachim reiterated the state government’s continued support for legitimate land applications, provided full cooperation is given to the Land and Survey Department to expedite the approval process.
He noted some applicants had waited up to 10 years for Pantas titles and urged for accurate and complete applications to streamline the process.
The Deputy Chief Minister reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to assisting citizens in obtaining land ownership through various initiatives and programmes.
He concluded by encouraging villagers to support the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition in the upcoming State Election.