Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud should explain to the people of Sarawak why the state alienated a piece of land to Pometia Sdn Bhd for educational purpose but allowed the company to use it for commercial development.

Taib, who is also resource planning and environment minister, should explain the reason for this and why a selective few were allowed to benefit from it, DAP's Pending assemblyperson Violet Yong said during the debate on the budget today.

NONE Situated at Simpang Tiga in Tabuan, Kuching, the prime land covering about 7.885 hectares in area is worth several million ringgit.

Yong ( right ) asked: "Is this not considered a clear breach of the title condition if a piece of land that is supposed to be alienated for educational purposes is used for mixed development, which has got nothing to do with educational purposes?

"The answer from the Chief Minister's Office in May this year never mentioned anything associated with education. Instead, the land is being used for commercial purposes."

Yong said she had raised this issue during the November sitting of the state assembly last year.

A special condition attached to the title states that the land is to be used only for educational and other statutory purposes in accordance with the provisions of the Private Higher Educational Institutional Act 1996, she said.

Another special condition is that the development or re-development of the land and its use as a campus site shall be in accordance with a plan of development approved by the director of Land and Survey.

Change in use revealed in assembly answer

"During the May sitting this year, I submitted a question to the chief minister and minister of resource planning and environment asking for the development plans for the land to be given in detail."

Yong said she was informed by way of a written answer that the land has been approved for mixed development, for the construction of a hotel, commercial centre, condominium, and a small-office home-office block.

"Now I want the chief minister to explain, not only to me but to the people of Sarawak, why the land was given to Pometia Sdn Bhd," she said.

She said the condition in the land title states that a breach or a default in the observance of the special conditions will render the land liable to forfeiture in accordance with Section 33(1) of the Land Code.

"I would like to see the Land and Survey Department do something right this time. The condition clearly states that if there should be a breach or default of the land use conditions, then the land shall be forfeited.

"Why is the authority keeping quiet over this? Why is there no appropriate action taken against Pometia Sdn Bhd?

"Why is the government allowing such a thing to happen at the expense of the people? Why is the state giving such a special treatment to Pometia Sdn Bhd?

"I hope our chief minister can give an explanation in this august house," Yong added.