(Kuching, 13th) After the government acquired his land, the area "shrank dramatically," prompting a former land surveyor to appeal to Sarawak DAP Chairman and State Assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen today!
Native customary landowner John from Kampong Tanjong Poting, Singai, expressed his grievances at Chong Chieng Jen's law firm, explaining that the government had acquired part of his native customary rights land for development (road expansion). However, the location and area of the newly surveyed land appeared abnormal compared to the original plot. Therefore, he hopes Chong Chieng Jen can help him seek justice and request that the Land and Survey Department provide a reasonable explanation and resolution. One proposed solution is to demand the authorities remap his plot.
John said his plot was originally near the roadside, and the state government acquired part of his NCR land for road expansion, for which he was compensated. John did not object to or complain about the government’s land acquisition and compensation.
However, he was shocked to find that after the government acquired the land, the boundaries and location of his land had shifted when the Land and Survey Department released the survey maps of the surrounding areas. According to the new land survey map, his land was no longer near the roadside, its area significantly reduced, and the shape was greatly different from the original.
"Simply put, his original plot should have been the first lot near the roadside (which is why the Land and Survey Department acquired part of it for road expansion), but according to the new land survey map, his plot became the second lot. Worse, there isn't even a lot road to access his plot."
Feeling confused and dissatisfied, John contacted DAP member Richard Liew, who accompanied him to Chong Chieng Jen's law firm today to express his concerns, hoping Chong Chieng Jen could help him seek justice.
"As a former land surveyor, John believes this is a serious mistake by the Land and Survey Department. The department should have his NCR land records showing its location near the roadside, which was the basis for the government's partial acquisition and compensation. But what puzzles him is why his land location was shifted to the second lot, without any lot road to access it. The Land and Survey Department has not provided any answers regarding this change."
After waiting in vain, John had no choice but to seek help from Chong Chieng Jen to file a grievance, demanding that the Land and Survey Department provide a reasonable explanation.
Chong Chieng Jen pointed out that land near the roadside (i.e., the first lot) has a significantly higher market value than the second lot without a lot road. The former can be worth twice as much as the latter, and John's NCR land has always been the first lot near the roadside. Now it has suddenly become the second lot without a lot road, dramatically reducing John's property value and depriving him of his rights as a landowner.
"Although John is not in my constituency, I will still provide assistance, argue the case logically, and demand the Land and Survey Department provide John with a reasonable explanation and resolution, including, if necessary, requesting the department to re-survey John's land."