Abang Johari speaks at the Land and Survey Innovation and Integrity Day 2026 (HIITS) closing ceremony. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni

KUCHING: Land valuation should be based on transaction

 data, geospatial information and market analytics to accurately assess changes in land values resulting from infrastructure development.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the approach was important as the state undertakes more infrastructure projects, urban development and large-scale investments.

He said land acquisition processes must be supported by professional, consistent and defensible valuations to ensure development could be carried out on time without compromising landowners’ rights to fair compensation.

“At the same time, the assessment of premiums for changes in land title conditions, direct alienation of land, renewal of land leases and projects must carefully take into account market changes and development potential,” he said.

He said this when speaking at the closing ceremony of the Land and Survey Innovation and Integrity Day 2026 (HIITS) at a hotel here, last night (Sept 23).

Abang Johari said the more systematic use of transaction data, geospatial information and market analytics would improve valuation accuracy, expedite

 government decisions, reduce disputes and ensure state revenue was assessed fairly.

He said infrastructure development also had an impact on land values when an area received new facilities such as roads.

“When we develop land, when we build roads in an area, naturally the value of the land will increase.

“Since we are developing many roads, for example in Tanjong Bako, the value of the land will certainly increase,” he said.

He urged the Land and Survey Department to take into account changes in land values arising from infrastructure development in its valuation processes.

Meanwhile, Abang Johari said the surveying function had evolved from merely producing maps and coordinates to providing geospatial intelligence for the government.

He said the implementation of the Sarawak Geocentric Datum 2020 (SGED20) and development of the SGEDNet network formed an important foundation for a modern cadastral surveying system that was more consistent with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology.

“At the same time, Sarawak is exploring the use of nanosatellites or CubeSats to support mapping, monitoring and development planning,” he said.

He said the integration of satellite data, drones, GNSS, digital cadastral systems and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) enabled the government to make decisions more quickly and accurately.

He said Sarawak’s geospatial data should become a trusted reference source and should no longer be fragmented across agencies.

“I believe our geospatial data should become a trusted reference source.

“Not data that is separated according to agencies, but a single ecosystem that can be used collectively with strong data governance and security,” he said.