GUA MUSANG: Some 7,000 hectares of land owned by the South Kelantan Development Authority (Kesedar) has been divided into lots, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister, who is also rural and regional development minister, said Kesedar, an agency under his ministry, was currently 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.
"The land owned by Kesedar has had the premiums paid, and the master title was obtained. The distribution of this land to the settlers will be managed by the agency's administration," he said.
Zahid who is also Barisan Nasional chairman said this at a press conference during a face-to-face session with Kesedar settlers and villagers in Kampung Renok Baru today ahead of the Nenggiri state by-election.
He also urged Pas not to exploit its authority over land ownership, which falls under the state government's jurisdiction, to threaten the public.
"When premiums have been paid, ownership should be transferred to the individuals listed by Kesedar," he said.
He cautioned against using power to threaten or deny the justice that Kesedar settlers are entitled to.
"As the minister overseeing the rural and regional development ministry, I will ensure that all issues are addressed promptly and seek solutions if they involve state administration to uphold justice for Kesedar settlers.
"I have met with both Kesedar management and the settlers' leader. InsyaAllah, they will be able to discern between what is genuine and what is not on Aug 17," he added.
Kesedar chairman Datuk Zawawi Othman, who was also present, said although the agency had paid the premiums and held ownership of the land, the authority to transfer land ownership rested 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 said.
Pas secretary-general Datuk Seri 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.