Kesedar's 7,000ha of land set for transfer to settlers, Zahid says

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said an area of 7,000ha of land, owned by the South Kelantan Development Authority (Kesedar), has been divided into lots.

The rural and regional development minister explained that Kesedar, an agency under his ministry, is in the process of transferring ownership of these land lots to 2,200 settlers, in phases.

He dismissed PAS’ claim that Kesedar had failed to process the thousands of land lots approved by the state government for settlers.

“Premiums on land owned by Kesedar have been paid and the master title obtained. The agency’s administration will manage the distribution of land to the settlers,” he clarified.

Zahid, who is also BN chairperson, said this at a press conference in a face-to-face session with Kesedar settlers and the villagers’ programme in Kampung Renok Baru in Gua Musang today, ahead of the Nenggiri by-election.

Don’t exploit authority

Zahid also urged PAS not to exploit their authority over land ownership, which falls under the state government’s jurisdiction, to coerce the public.

“When premiums have been paid, ownership should be transferred to the individuals listed by Kesedar,” he asserted.

He cautioned against using power to threaten or deny the justice that Kesedar settlers are entitled to.

“As the minister overseeing the ministry, I will ensure that all issues are addressed promptly and seek solutions if they involve state administration to uphold justice for Kesedar settlers,” he said.

“I have met with both Kesedar management and the settlers’ leader. Insya-Allah, they will be able to discern between what is genuine and what is not, on Aug 17,” he added.

Kesedar chairperson Zawawi Othman, who was also present, said that although the agency has paid the premiums and holds ownership of the land, the authority to transfer land ownership rests with the state government.

“To change the name on the land title, it must go through the land office. If the state government (Kelantan) complicates the process of changing ownership, it would be an act of oppression against the settlers,” he explained.

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, during his ceramah at the Nenggiri by-election campaign yesterday, alleged that Kesedar had delayed processing land titles despite the state government’s approval of the settlers’ applications.

- Bernama

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