Press Statement By Abdul Aziz:
I would like to rebut Lo Khere Chiang on his allegation that I seek political mileage and pour cold water on the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) pertaining to the delay of the issuance of the land titles for both Kpg Semeba and Kpg Tematu. His allegation was reported by the Dayak Daily https://dayakdaily.com/lo-rebukes-azizs-allegation-of-not-fighting-for-land-titles-for-kg-tematu-and-kg-semeba-villagers/ in respond to my press statement dated on 30 April 2021 https://www.facebook.com/637969689546479/posts/5727311653945565/?d=n
Lo said that he went with the community leaders to meet up with the Director of Land and Survey Department (“the Department”) on 17 August 2021. By referring to the meeting, he claimed that the Director has himself assured that the land titles will be issued to the eligible land owners. Firstly, both Lo didn’t disclose when the Director will issue the land titles which make the timeline of the issuance remain unclear. This is because the words “will be issued” is rather vague and ambiguous as it can be before election or after the state election or after the general election. Secondly, Lo didn’t disclose who are the eligible land owners which makes the villagers wondering if there any probability that some of them has been classified as ‘not eligible’. This is because when they first apply for the land titles, there were no one left behind in the application process. Thus, Lo should be clear of the timeline and the eligibility of the land owners
Lo added that the Department needs time to vet through the applications for the land titles in Kpg Semeba and Kpg Tematu. My question to Lo is why it took so long for the Department to vet through the applications? What did they do for the past 20 years in the office? Does the Department is short of staffs to vet through the applications which has gone long for the past 20 years? Wasn’t that his statement just goes to show that the Department has been ineffective and inefficient to expedite the issuance of the land titles despite all of the reforms it made? Did Lo ever raised up this issue during the DUN sitting for the past 5 years? The issuance of the land titles has been delayed for 20 years and stating that the Department needs time to vet through the applications is totally ridiculous!
Lo claimed that he has ‘personally’ worked hard to ensure that the villagers are given the land titles that they deserved were mere façade (an image of something that is not a true representation of reality). If it is true that he has ‘personally’ worked hard on this issue, then why the issuance of the land titles has been delayed for 20 years? Can Lo reasonably clarify it to me on which part he has ‘personally’ worked hard for the land titles? Had he ‘personally’ worked hard for the land titles, the villages would have received it since 2016 (when the then BN Sarawak regime won the Batu Kitang state constituency). But for his unassuming demeanour who seems to treat this issue mere bagatelle (a thing of little importance), the villagers had to wait for another five more years. Therefore, his claimed that he has ‘personally’ worked hard on this issue doesn’t reflect the true representation of reality.
Lo should know that it was not him who started the initiative to apply for the land titles in 2001; instead, it was the villagers themselves who had worked hard for it. He is just full of himself when he treats this issue as if it was his due to his hard work all this while. Hence, when Lo opined that the term “lembu punya susu, sapi dapat nama” (which in Malay literally means getting the credit out of someone else’s work) to me, the Malay proverb actually suited him very well. In fact, I can say that he is like “bagaikan meludah ke langit, muka juga yang basah” (which in Malay literally means like spitting into the sky, the face is also wet)
I urged Lo to stop playing tai chi and stop making nonsensical comments pertaining to the issuance of the land titles for both Kpg Semeba and Kpg Tematu. If GPS is sincere to help the villages, therefore, the issuance of the land titles must be done before end of May 2021. Don’t wait for the state election to come to issue the land titles because by doing so, it just goes to show that GPS is lacking of sincerity. Don’t hold the Bidayuh voters for ransom.
04-05-2021
Abdul Aziz Isa
Special Assistant to YB Chong Chieng Jen
DAP Batu Kitang Chairman
DAPSY Stampin Chief
