Sarawak senators urge government to ease land grant rules and review premium renewal fees to protect rural residents and improve housing access.

KUALA LUMPUR: Senators have called for urgent government action on land grant ownership and land premium renewal fees to protect rural communities.

Sarawak senator Abun Sui Anyit urged both federal and state governments to relax strict land grant requirements for development projects.

He said these requirements are a major obstacle to housing programmes in Sarawak and Sabah’s interior, where many residents lack formal land titles.

“Don’t let the housing programme provided be inaccessible to us in the rural areas just because of technical grant issues,” he said during a Senate debate.

He noted that infrastructure projects often stall when authorities demand land grants as a mandatory condition for implementation.

Senator Roderick Wong Siew Lead suggested the federal government discuss premium renewal rates with state governments.

He called for clear, transparent guidelines to protect farmers and owners of inherited land in rural areas.

This follows a previous issue involving a sudden increase in land premium renewal fees in Sarikei, Sarawak.

“Before the rates are increased or the categories are changed, there must be a briefing and consultation session,” he stated.

He also proposed an independent review mechanism and a gradual implementation of any new payment rates.

Other senators raised issues related to tackling corruption by improving civil servant welfare.

Senator Datuk Salehuddin Saidin proposed a review of salary structures and special allowances for public servants.

He argued this is particularly important for law enforcement personnel and those interacting directly with the community.

“We need to consider a step to restructure salaries or at least provide a higher cost of living allowance,” he said.

He cited Singapore’s model of high salaries for enforcement officers as a proven method to reduce corruption.

Senator Datuk Dr Mustafa Musa suggested amending the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission Act 2009.

He proposed expanding the EAIC’s authority to regulate agencies like the MACC, AKPS, and local authorities.

“Remember, the downfall of an empire is not only due to the weakness of greedy political ambitions but also because of the compromised values of integrity,” he added.

The senators were debating the Motion of Thanks for the Royal Address in the Senate.

 The Sun Malaysia