KUALA SEPETANG, 5 April 2009: The Perak government has agreed with the Transport Ministry’s proposal for a swap to solve the protracted land issue faced by those staying on Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) land here.
“We are looking for suitable land for KTMB and this matter will be discussed further,” said Barisan Nasional-backed Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir today.
According to Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat yesterday, the state government would replace 93.6 hectares of KTMB land in Kuala Sepetang with another piece to enable the present occupants to be issued with appropriate ownership titles.
“I feel this is the best solution the state government can do,” Zambry told reporters after launching a career carnival at Kota Ngah Ibrahim, Matang.
The occupants, mostly fisher folk, have stayed on the land which was previously laid with a railway track connecting Port Weld (now Kuala Sepetang) with Taiping.
Kuala Sepetang is one of the state seats within the Bukit Gantang parliamentary constituency.
Some occupants have been staying there for four generations and paid annual rent to KTMB and the Railway Asset Management Corporation but their exact number could not be determined because some are illegal squatters.
Asked when the plan would be implemented, Zambry said the state government and KTMB would move quickly and follow all the procedures regarding land ownerships.
Meanwhile, Zambry said political parties contesting in the Bukit Gantang by-election should not disrupt peace and order in their campaigns.
He was commenting on reports that a commotion had broken out in several areas over moves to put up campaign materials. — Bernama
