Sarawak ready to share land administration expertise

KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak is ready to share its land administration expertise with the federal government, having implemented a system capable of completing land ownership transactions within a day since 2009.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the state’s eLASIS system goes beyond land ownership matters, covering about 67 types of transactions, including caveats, charges and subleases.

He said the system also drew attention during the 83rd National Land Council meeting, with Sarawak prepared to share its experience and expertise with the federal government.

“In Sarawak, we have been able to complete land ownership transactions within one day since 2009.

“Our system does not only cover land ownership but about 67 types of transactions, including caveats, charges and subleases,” he said in a statement.

Awang Tengah attended the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Parliament building in Kuala Lumpur yesterday (Oct 5).

He represented Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the meeting.

Meanwhile, Awang Tengah said Sarawak also plays an important role in helping Malaysia maintain at least 50 per cent of the country’s land area under forest cover.

He said about 62 per cent of Sarawak remains forested and proposed that Sarawak and Sabah be given appropriate incentives to support both states in preserving their forests.

These include incentives through the Ecological Fiscal Transfer (EFT) mechanism.

Awang Tengah also said Sarawak has planted about 67 million trees under the Malaysia Greening Programme.

The state will continue the initiative until 2030, with a new target of planting another 50 million trees.