MUKAH: Mukah Member of Parliament (MP) Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Leo Toyad yesterday presented land compensation cheques totalling more than RM9.7 million from the government to 172 landowners whose land were acquired by the government for development purposes in Mukah district.

The acquisitions involving a total land area of 182.15498 hectares (ha) were made for the implementation of seven development projects undertaken by the state and federal
governments.

The biggest compensation amounting to RM4,092,363 was paid to 29 landowners whose total land measuring about 21.12057 ha was acquired for Kampung Jebungan Mukah extension project followed by another RM2,458,859.26 paid to 46 landowners whose land measuring about 30.5179.ha was acquired for Pusat Penyelidikan SCORE, Unimas and another RM2,202,191 paid to 16 landowners whose land measuring about 102.14215 ha was acquired for construction of a road connecting Jalan Balingian to Jalan Sibu/Bintulu/Mukah main road.

Other total payments include RM469,067.56 made to 22 landowners in respect of land measuring about 2.60166 ha tor the extension of  New Mukah Airport access road and drainage projects, RM209,595.70 to 26 landowners in respect of land measuring about 11.32202 ha for Jalan Engkerbai/Lubok Bemban/Ulu Sikat (Fasa 2) road projects, RM202,950.90 to 31 landowners in respect of land measuring about 9.27524 ha for Jalan Pengkalan Lobang Phase 2 road upgrading projects and RM73,617.40 to 2 landowners in respect of land measuring about 5.17544 ha for Jalan Penipah Ulu Phase 2 road projects.

In his speech as guest-of- honour, Dr Leo said it was the policy of the caring Barisan Nasional (BN) government to pay reasonable amount of compensation to landowners whose land had been acquired by the government in order to implement development projects by the state and federal governments to improve the income and well-being of the people.

The function which took place at Menara Pehin Setia Raja Mukah building was also attended by Deputy Mukah Resident (Social) Philip Peter Salam, Mukah District Officer Mohamad Nawawi, Land and Survey Department Mukah superintendent Awang Zamhari Awang Mahmood who is also the organising chairman, heads of government departments and community leaders.

(Source : The Borneo Post, 20 January 2012)