Regis is the stumbling block: Ministry
Published on: Wednesday, September 02, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Government is in a dilemma over a 4-acre site in Tamparuli, belonging to aging artist Tina Rimmer, who wants the land to be used to build an Arts and Cultural Centre as her legacy before she moves on. Rimmer, 98, is not in good health, and time is running out.The Sabah Government wants the land to be transferred to a Trust so that it can help expedite the building of the Centre.The realisation of a Trust, according to the government, will help gain the confidence of the people who may be persuaded to donate towards building the Centre.
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"Otherwise, people would ask to whom are they donating to?" said State Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Masidi Manjun). "That would become an issue. So, first things first. The Trust must first get the land. Then, we can see what can be done to help realize the vision for a Centre."Masidi lamented that nothing can be done with the land, lying vacant for over 20 years, until former Sabah Museum Director Patricia Regis comes forward and extends her co-operation to resolve issues, if any, pertaining to the land. "Rimmer placed her Native Title for the land under the care of Regis who was supposed to help her fulfill her vision."
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"Regis has to come forward and talk to us."Masidi, researching into the troubled history of the land, gathered that Rimmer expressed her intentions for the land in an Agreement drawn up with Regis at the legal firm of Jayasuriya & Kah in the presence of its lawyer, a Daniel Tan, in the 1990s. "Thereafter the picture gets murky."
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"I am aware of the land lying idle for so long and have instructed the Ministry's Permanent Secretary to help sort out the problem."Masidi was disclosing that he had since received word that Regis, unable to turn up for all meetings called so far by the Ministry, had since made contact with the Ministry on the issue and may be willing to come forward to bring closure to the matter. "We have been trying the last few years to bring the parties in dispute, if any, together to help sort out the matter. It's difficult to hold a meeting if certain parties who are required, like Regis for example, don't turn up."Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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