The percentage of premium rates imposed on the ownership of government land for commercial, industrial, and residential use depends on the location of the land.
Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development Datuk Len Talif Salleh said that in major areas such as Kuching, Batu Kitang, Padawan, Samarahan, Serian, Sibu, Miri, and Bintulu, the premium rate stands at 100 per cent of the market value.
However, for government land in other cities, the rates differ. For commercial and industrial use, urban and suburban land is charged at 51 per cent of the market value, while rural land is charged at 25 per cent.
Regarding residential use, he added that the premium rates are as follows: urban land – 40 per cent of the market value, suburban land – 30 per cent of the market value, and rural land – 25 per cent of the market value.
Responding to concerns raised by Datuk Hamzah Brahim (GPS-Stakan) during the question-and-answer session at State Legislative Assembly (DUN) yesterday regarding landowners, particularly large companies that have acquired land but failed to initiate any development, Len explained that the land title deed contains specific conditions regarding development timelines based on the land’s designated use and area.
“If landowners fail to comply with the prescribed development conditions, re-entry action can be taken as stipulated in Section 33 of the Sarawak Land Code,” he said.
Furthermore, any land reclaimed under Section 33 of the Sarawak Land Code will revert to Registered Government Land.
Len said that parties interested in acquiring the land for development purposes may apply for ownership, provided they meet the government’s criteria and conditions and align with the land’s designated use. The government will assess each application based on its land plans and the applicant’s qualifications.
