The creation of an additional deputy chairperson for Sarawak's Land Custody Development Authority (LCDA) is irrelevant and a waste of taxpayers’ money, says Chong Chieng Jien (DAP-Kota Sentosa).

"The appointment will have some financial implications," he said when debating the Land Custody and Development Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2014.

"How much the current deputy chairman and the new deputy chairman will be paid as well as other members of the board?"

 

The Bill, which was tabled by the Land Development Minister James Masing (below) was to create an additional post of deputy chairperson for LCDA.

Today is the first day of the sitting of the Sarawak State Assembly.

"We want to know how much extra financial burden will be incurred to pay the new deputy chairman as it has some financial implications," he added.

Urging the government to prepare a working paper on the issue, Chong asked: "Is the creation of additional deputy chairman to enhance LCDA’s businesses? Or is the LCDA’s business that bad?"

Three years of losses

According to the Auditor-General Report for 2014, LCDA’s sago business in Mukah had sustained losses for three years running.

Likewise, The Regency Rajah Court Hotel, run by a subsidiary of LCDA has also been losing money for three years running.

"Obviously the current board members are not doing that well," he added.

He also urged the government to remove some of the board members who have become irrelevant.

Chong also asked who is serving as chairperson as the LCDA website, updated October this year states "Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud" (right) as the chairman.

"Is Abdul Taib Mahmud who is the Yang Dipertua Negeri Sarawak now still the chairman? Or is there an error in the website?" he asked.

Chong sought clarification on why Masing whose ministry is in charge of LCDA, is not a member of the board and asked whether the additional deputy chairman would be given to him.

Bill passed

In tabling the Bill, Masing said the LCDA ordinance 1981 was passed in 1981 with the original aim of undertaking the development and re-development of areas declared as development area.

In its formative years, the development was mainly concentrated in the urban areas but has now expanded its operations to cater for the increasing needs of the rural areas.

Currently, the board members are made up of a chairperson, a deputy chairperson and not more than 13 other members.

Due to the expansion in the scope and roles of LCDA, it is timely and imperative that the composition of board members be reviewed to include the appointment of another deputy chairman.

The Bill was later passed by the House.