Jamawi: DID to expedite compensation negotiations for Calvary Charismatic Church Tenom

TENOM (Feb 2): The Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) will expedite the compensation process and price negotiations involving Calvary Charismatic Church Tenom.

The church is affected by a flood mitigation project in the Tenom area.

Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar said the matter needs serious attention to ensure that the welfare of the church and its congregation continue to be safeguarded.

“I have visited the Calvary Charismatic Church Tenom site, which is located along the alignment of the flood mitigation embankment currently being constructed and to be constructed by contractors,” said the Melalap assemblyman.

“The church management has requested that the compensation process and price negotiations be expedited and that the offer be made at a more reasonable rate in line with current market value.”

Jamawi said based on information received, government valuers have already assessed the affected area, but the church is of the view that the value offered remains insufficient.

“In this regard, the church has appointed a private valuer, and I hope that the valuation report can be submitted promptly so that the price negotiations can be finalised in the best possible manner,” he said.

He explained that the finalisation of compensation negotiations is crucial to enable the church to plan its relocation and to secure a new site.

Jamawi also thanked the Calvary Charismatic Church Tenom management for their cooperation throughout the implementation of the project.

On the possibility of retaining the existing site, he said the land in question had been gazetted in 2022 for the flood mitigation project.

“I have been informed by the DID as well as by the church itself that this land has been gazetted.

“Should there be an intention to revoke or amend the gazettement, the process would be lengthy and would need to be brought before the State Legislative Assembly, in addition to involving several other procedures,” he said.

As such, he said the church is also unwilling to bear prolonged uncertainty.

“Therefore, their main request is that the compensation rate offered be reasonable and in line with current values to enable them to acquire a new building,” he said.

Jamawi stressed that the state government is committed to ensuring the implementation of public development projects does not disrupt social harmony or infringe upon the rights of any party.

“We want development to proceed smoothly, while at the same time ensuring that the welfare of the people and religious institutions continues to be protected,” he said.