JOHOR BARU: The happiness clearly showed on the faces of 139 residents of Kampung Kempas Baru when the state government handed them the land grants to their homes after a long 40-year wait.
It was extra special for them as the “Notis 5A”, the notice informing them of the end of their long wait, was handed to the residents by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
Khaled said the offer was the state government’s effort to help the residents live a better, more secure life.
“Alhamdullilah, the problems of the residents are solved due to the efforts and cooperation of several quarters. I had come here myself before this to check on this new village and found that it was appropriate for them to own the land as there is a sense of community here and a loyalty to the state.”
Khaled said the state government had also decided that the land would be turned into Malay Reserve land.
“The state government will continue to increase Malay Reserve land. Johor is the state with the most such land, with about 30 per cent of its total land area, compared to eight per cent in 1957,” he said at the ceremony which was also attended by Pulai member of parliament and Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed, and Kempas assemblyman Datuk Tengku Putra Haron Aminurrashid Tengku Hamid Jumat.
Resident Jemah Jaafar, 64, said the offer was something that was not expected as the residents’ applications prior to this had been rejected.
“We are grateful for the offer and believe that owning our own land would bring prosperity here and improve out way of life. We will not have to worry about our respective family’s futures.”
Another 64-year-old, Rubiah Said, said the residents were also happy that the land would now be Malay Reserve land.
“We are getting on in age, but the offer is meaningful especially for our children and grandchildren. It shows that the state government cares for us. We appreciate it and we thank the state government.”
Kampung Kempas Baru was created as temporary accommodation in the 1970s. According to Johor Baru land Office records, the area has never been gazetted as an area with drainage and irrigation.
On July 19, 1989, temporary occupational licences were issued after applications for ownership of the land by residents had been turned down.