State to look into land woes
THE state government will take a step further to resolve land woes of illegal farmers and breeders by reassessing its policies on land alienation.
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said although the special task force set up to look into the backlog of unsettled land applications had resolved a few of such cases, there was a need for the state to re-look its policy of not allowing land to be directly alienated to farmers.
"I have noticed that in Perak, land is not alienated to farmers but only subleased to them for a 30-year tenure through state government agencies.
Farmers' woes: Pomelo cultivation is another lucrative venture in Perak.
"I have discussed with Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir to see if the state can actually alienate land directly to them.
"If this cannot be done, the lease should be for at least 60 years," Dr Chua told reporters during the Chinese New Year open house of Perak MCA, for which he is chairman.
Noting that Dr Zambry had agreed to look into his suggestion, Dr Chua explained that most farmers and breeders could not obtain loans from financial institutions as a result of the short lease term.
"Some of the agriculture and aquaculture industry in Perak are quite high-tech. They require a lot of investments and so, their "bankability" is important.
Finding a solution: A file picture of Dr Chua meeting fish breeders at a dialouge session.
"If the leases are for 30 years, then they are not so bankable.
"Farming and especially ornamental and commercial fish breeding are very lucrative and important for Perak due to the jobs created and also their export value," Dr Chua said.
The special task force, set up about 18 months ago at the suggestion of MCA and headed by state executive councillor Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, has looked at about 1,680 applications involving 3,237 hectares of land throughout Perak.
"They are at various stages of approval.
"Some have been approved, some may be at the last stages but I feel there are at least another 2,000 over applications that are still outstanding.
"If there is no solid solution, the problem will go on and on," said Dr Chua.
-The Star-
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