Land grants for Penampang villagers soon
Published on: Friday, August 30, 2024
Ewon at the launching of the event.
PENAMPANG: The six-decade journey towards securing land titles for Kampung Talungan residents has finally come to a close with the initiation of land surveying under the Sabah Native Land Services (Pantas) programme in their village here.
The residents expressed appreciation to Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister cum Penampang Member of Parliament Datuk Ewon Benedick for his efforts in realising their dream.
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Kampung Togudon Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) Chairman Lidan Galasun said:
“We’ve been waiting for many years…village leaders and Sabah governments have come and gone, but our applications were never successful. However, Ewon managed to resolve it in less than five years.
“With these land grants, it will be easier for us to get various aids from the Government,” he said.
Former Kampung Togudon Village Chairman Gukim Gosuit said the applications for land survey in the village were submitted many years ago but unsuccessful.
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“During the preparations ahead of the 2022 general election, one of the main issues we raised to be resolved by our chosen representative was land ownership.
“Thanks to God, and thanks to the Sabah Government, especially to Ewon for his efforts, finally the land survey in our village is being implemented through the Pantas Programme. This is what we’ve been waiting for all this time,” he said.
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Another resident of Kampung Tagudon, Rita Manuel, also expressed gratitude to Ewon for his commitment to helping the villagers.
“During discussions about the land survey in our village, I was still doubtful because I didn’t want to be given false hope. But today, after the launch of the land survey, it has given us trust, confidence and hope.
“We have been waiting for the survey and land grants for a long time and today is a historic day for residents who will receive their respective land grants next year.
“Thank you Ewon and the Sabah Government who are very concerned about the problems and needs of the villagers,” she said.
Another resident, Julianus Thomas, said Ewon’s words of encouragement during his visit to the village 20 years ago have now become a reality.
“Twenty years ago, he (Ewon) came to our village when he was the youth leader with the residents of Kampung Togudon and among his words to us then were ‘semangat kou noh koti manganu ti tanah’ (Strive to get your land grants). Today, what he said has become a reality.
“I am very happy because his words have become a blessing to the villagers today,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ewon said the launch of land surveying Kampung Togudon is the best gift for this year’s Malaysia Day celebration.
He hopes the land surveying under the Pantas programme, which is being implemented for the first time in Penampang, will expand to other villages.
“As the people’s representative, I express my utmost gratitude to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor who agreed to implement the Pantas programme here.
“This land surveying involves some 982 hectares or 2,400 acres, which has been requested by some 500 villagers who have been waiting for land ownership since the village was established in the 1920s.
“The land surveying is expected to be completed by May 2025, and the grants are expected to be ready by the end of next year,” he said.
Ewon is confident that with land grant ownership, it will benefit the villagers, including making it easier for them to receive government assistance in agriculture and entrepreneurship.
He said as a member of the Federal Government Cabinet, he will ensure that Pantas continues in the 13th Malaysia Plan (2026-2030).
“I raised this matter during the discussion of the Bumiputera Economic Agenda Transformation Plan, which was launched by the Prime Minister a few weeks ago, stating the importance of land ownership for the development of the Bumiputera community, especially the natives in Sabah.
“The Cabinet has recorded my views and I will continue to fight so that in the 13th Malaysia Plan, appropriate allocations can be channelled to the Sabah Government, especially to the Lands and Survey Department,” he said.
Ewon said he will request the Chief Minister of Sabah and the Lands and Survey Department to implement land surveying under the Pantas programme in other villages in Penampang, especially in areas with steep slopes.
“This is also among the demands of the people of Penampang and as their representative it is my responsibility to be part of the solution to this problem,” he said.
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