No third-party transfer of Kpg Datu Baru houses, owners told

SIBU (July 29): House owners in the Kampung Datu Baru redevelopment site here have been told that any change in home ownership to a third party would be strictly prohibited.

This was clearly spelled out in Section 18 of the Sarawak Land Code, said Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Sarawak Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee.

“If there are those intending to change their house ownership, it must be transferred to their heirs, but only after obtaining approval from the Land and Survey Department director,” said the Nangka assemblyman when met after a dialogue at the Kampung Datu Baru redevelopment site with the home owners on Saturday evening.

“So to anyone thinking of selling to a third party – stop harbouring that intention,” he warned.

On house renovation for the area, Dr Annuar said Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) had approved three types of renovation plan to ensure standardisation of design, and also to keep the area ‘neat and tidy’.

He also said any alteration to the approved designs, including plans to renovate the rear of the house, must obtain approval from SMC.

“Alternatively, I will discuss with LCDA (Land Custody and Development Authority) after this on coming up with another design for the back of the house,” he added.

On the Kampung Datu Baru houses, Dr Annuar said each covers 850 square feet and comes with three rooms and two bathrooms.

As for some of the houses that were yet to be connected with electricity and water supply, he said he would follow up on the matter with Sarawak Energy Bhd and Sibu Water Board to expedite the connection.