Kota Kinabalu: Under the Native Customary Land Survey Programme (Pantas), 31,518 Native Customary land lots covering a total land area of 46,285.411 hectares (or 114,373.741 acres) were measured as of May 31 this year.
Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, said this involved 145 villages located in 22 districts across the State.
“The Pantas programme, funded by the Federal Government, began in 2011,” Nizam said when responding to questions from Kadamaian assemblyman Datuk Ewon Benedick and Telupid assemblyman Datuk Jonnybone Kurum at the State Legislative Assembly sitting here on Thursday.
“This year, the Federal Government has agreed to allocate RM20 million to implement the programme.”
Nizam explained that the amount of funding varies and noted Jonnybone’s suggestion that the State Government provide a matching allocation for the Pantas programme.
He said four criteria for areas can be considered for the Pantas programme.
“First, state land that has been occupied by natives for generations.
“The area must be at least 200 acres, and the size of each lot should not exceed 6 hectares.
“The area must also have been occupied and cultivated by residents with Native status who are 18 years and older,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said 250 land titles resulting from Pantas surveys in Kadamaian are ready to be handed over at any time.
“The Pantas programme in Kampung Tambatuon is ongoing and is expected to be fully completed by the end of this year.
“Meanwhile, approval from the State authorities to implement the Pantas Programme for Kampung Togudon in the Moyog area was received on July 3 this year.
“The Department of Lands and Surveys (JTU) is planning to enter the area to begin the land measurement.
“In Telupid, JTU has completed inspections of four villages that have been found suitable for the Pantas programme.”
The villages are Kampung Ansuan, Kampung Wonod, Kampung Buis, and Kampung Bouto. The Pantas Programme was approved for these four villages on June 28.
“At present, JTU is planning to enter these villages to begin the land measurement,” he said.
In response to an additional question from Sindumin assemblyman Datuk Yusof Yacob, Nizam said that in Sipitang, four villages — Kampung Maligan, Kampung Imui, Kampung Rundulang, and Kampung Mengayam — are still undergoing Pantas measurement.
“Usually, if no issues arise, the Pantas measurement can be completed up to the issuance of titles within eight months or more,” he said.
