KUANTAN: Since 2020, the Pahang Corporation Sdn Bhd has embarked on a 'land whitening' (legalising land through a rental scheme) programme involving 5,526ha of agriculture land in Cameron Highlands.
The agriculture scheme land rental programme involving land owned by the Perbadanan Setiausaha Negeri Pahang in Cameron Highlands was introduced to replace the issuance of the temporary occupation licence (TOL).
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said until June 30 this year, a total 1,849ha of land has been processed whereby the information of 1,661 individuals (land owners) has been updated in the database.
"Pahang Corporation is in the midst of processing 1,443ha of land (new applications) while 402ha have been identified to have been operating beyond their TOL.
"The remaining agricultural land has been measured and will be updated in stages into the farmers database to be included as part of the land rental scheme," he said in a statement today.
Wan Rosdy said the new scheme was introduced four years ago to tackle revenue collection leakages, comply with the good agricultural practices (myGAP) and allow Pahang Corp to serve as a one-stop agency to collect rental, and other fees to ease the process for farmers.
"The scheme allows farmers to comply with all rules and regulations imposed by the relevant departments and agencies before, during and after the land rental tenure such as compliance with land development conditions at slope areas, prohibiting rental to a third party or leasing the land rights to others including foreigners.
"The rental system will hinder farmers from trespassing (conduct farming) in forest reserves, rivers and roads. Farmers who fail to comply with the rental scheme will face stern enforcement action including being produced in court by the department and agencies across Pahang," he said.
On the land rental programme, Wan Rosdy said RM51.2million has been collected between 2020 and June 30 this year while there was RM37.8 million in unpaid rental.
"Judging by the collection, many farmers still remain stubborn and this will affect the state revenue collection resulting in losses. We hope those who have yet to pay will come forward to settle their rental as soon as possible," he said.
In 2020, Wan Rosdy announced that vegetable farmers in Cameron Highlands who have been operating on land with TOL status will be offered to continue farming through a land rental programme.
On Tuesday, Al-Sultan Abdullah expressed concern over farmland in the state being leased to foreigners in Cameron Highlands and instructed for strict enforcement action to be taken.
Yesterday, non-governmental organisation Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands (Reach) called upon federal and state enforcement agencies to conduct frequent large-scale inspections and display their commitment to the Ruler's decree.