Kuala Lumpur: A sharp increase in land premium renewal fees in Bintangor, Sarawak, was raised in the Dewan Negara, with concerns that the move has placed a heavy burden on rural residents, particularly farmers and owners of inherited land along Jalan Ming Hing.
According to Senator Roderick Wong Siew Lead, some landowners who previously paid about RM1,000 are now being charged more than RM25,000 for five acres of land.
“For 10 acres, fees are reported to have jumped from around RM2,000 to over RM50,000.
“The increase is believed to have followed the reclassification of land status from rural to urban, resulting in significantly higher premium rates per acre,” he said while debating the Motion of Thanks for the Royal Address of Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong in the Dewan Negara recently.
While acknowledging that land matters fall under state jurisdiction, Wong stressed that the issue goes beyond technicalities and touches on broader concerns of social justice and public welfare, in line with the royal address by Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“When decisions are implemented abruptly without a transition period or adequate public engagement, the people feel shocked and burdened, especially farmers who depend on the land for their livelihood,” he said.
He also highlighted inconsistencies in land classification within the same area, noting that some plots remain categorised as rural while others have been designated urban.
This disparity, he said, raises questions about the standards, guidelines, and field assessments used before the changes were enforced.
Wong proposed that the Federal Government, through the relevant ministry, engage in discussions with the Sarawak government to ensure clearer and more transparent land classification guidelines.
“My recommendations were mandatory public consultations before major policy changes with significant financial impact, the establishment of an independent review mechanism for disputes over land classification or premium rates, phased implementation of fee increases, and a needs-based approach to protect low-income groups and small-scale farmers,” he said.
He emphasised that while development and increased state revenue are important, they should not come at the expense of vulnerable communities.
“The people of Bintangor are not rejecting development. They are asking for fairness and a reasonable explanation,” he added.
