Activist urges clarity on land lease renewals, title changes under Sarawak Land Code

KUCHING (Nov 22): Social activist Voon Shiak Ni has called on the Sarawak Ministry of Urban Development and Natural Resources to provide clear guidelines and assurances regarding the renewal of land leases and changes to title conditions under the Sarawak Land Code.

In an open letter addressed to Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan yesterday, Voon expressed concerns over the uncertainty and challenges posed by amendments to title conditions during lease renewals in which she emphasised the need for transparency in the process and mechanisms to address grievances from affected landowners.

She also highlighted specific cases where land use designations were altered from unrestricted conditions to being limited to “agriculture purposes only” upon renewal as she cited examples from the 3rd Mile area in Kuching, where urban land predominantly used for residential and commercial purposes was reclassified, creating confusion and impracticality for landowners.

“The lands around 3rd Mile Kuching are located in the heart of the city, and most are already used for housing or business purposes.

“Imposing agricultural restrictions on these lands is neither relevant nor reasonable, as almost none of them are used for planting or farming,” she said.

She pointed out that such changes could have far-reaching implications, particularly for existing developments while many properties in affected areas were lawfully established under the original conditions but now face an uncertain legal status.

“Will these structures be considered non-compliant retroactively? What recourse will landowners have to address this?” she asked.

Apart from that, Voon also criticised the lack of communication and engagement with stakeholders, stating that landowners who invested heavily in developing their properties under the original terms were blindsided by the amendments.

She thus urged the ministry to outline the rationale behind these decisions and involve stakeholders in the decision-making process.

“The rationale for these amendments has not been fully communicated to the public. Landowners deserve clarity and inclusivity when policies that significantly impact their investments and livelihoods are introduced,” she said.

Apart from that, she further warned of potential legal disputes arising from the ambiguous implementation of new conditions, emphasising the importance of avoiding misunderstandings that could lead to unnecessary conflicts while she also questioned how the changes align with Sarawak’s broader development goals, given the state’s ongoing push for urbanisation and economic growth.

“Restricting land use to agriculture in urbanised areas could inadvertently hinder progress and development,” she said.

Thus, Voon urged the ministry to clarify the process for reviewing and amending title conditions during lease renewal while she also called for transitional arrangements or exemptions for existing developments and the creation of mechanisms for landowners to appeal or negotiate terms that affect the viability of their properties.

“We hope this letter serves as a constructive step toward addressing these issues because there is a need for immediate attention to protect the rights and interests of affected landowners while supporting the state’s development goals,” she said.