Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) assemblymen have shown their support to the Land Code (Amendment) Bill, 2022 tabled by the Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali.
Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa (PSB-Engkilili) said that the tabling of the Bill was a historical moment for Sarawak as it gave a more comprehensive definition on land as compared to other states in Malaysia, and also as compared to the National Land Code.
“I am moved to hear that the government and opposition members support this Bill. The Bill is good for Sarawak. Well done and congratulations to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“At the moment, the Sarawak Land Code does not include the control of airspace above the land and the earth, but with this Bill, it will be good for the future of Sarawak as a whole.
“I believe this is the best step by the state government for being farsighted, and this is not a political view but for the future of Sarawak,” he said in support of the Bill during his debate speech on the Bill yesterday (May 18).
Meanwhile, Baru Bian (PSB-Ba’Kelalan) said that he supported any move to reduce carbon emission and to protect the environment.
“According to the United Nations (UN), society must achieve net zero by 2050. Meaning that man-made carbon emissions are reduced to as close as to zero as possible to the point that what remains can be absorbed naturally or balanced by carbon removals.
“That is what it will take to limit global warming to 1.5 Degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
“With this amendment, I see that Sarawak is just doing its bit to achieve this goal of net zero emission by 2025. Therefore, I support this Bill,” he said.
Earlier, Hasidah said that amendments to the Sarawak Lade Code sought to provide a new definition of the term “land” so that the statutory meaning of the term ‘land’ was aligned with that found in other Malaysian legislations like the National Land Code.
She also said that the amendment would provide for control of the airspace above the earth of the land, and also control of any property in that airspace including, but not limited to, spectrum and also regulating the erection, maintenance and occupation of any structure in that airspace.
“In addition, the amendment will also regulate and control the use of land, onshore and offshore, in the sea bed which forms the continental shelf of Sarawak, for the storage, retention, capture and sequestration of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gasses of any form or description,” she said.
