Richard Yong : 99 Titles should be upgraded to 999

Kota Kinabalu, 26 August 2020: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) said that the Warisan-led government under Shafie should not use the 999 land titles to mislead the public while taking credit and political mileage for a court decision which they had previously objected to in 2019 during the Warisan government.

 

Datuk Seri Shafie’s attempt to draw support has caused much confusion, even the Land and Survey Department Director has to clarify the matter mentioning only the 5,878 affected land titles will be restored as it is the original rights of the landowners. It is not Warisan Government’s policy that other 99-year land titles will become 999 year land titles.

“Even DAP admitted that it was not Shafie but a court ruling that has to be followed to restore to 999 year on land titles,” said its Deputy President Datuk Richard Yong We Kong.

“Credit should go to the person Mr Chin Kim Phin who won the landmark case against the Warisan government lawyers on 22/2/2020. Another important person who also help in fighting for Mr Chin to win this case is Datuk Kong Hong Ming, a lawyer and activist,” said Richard.

The Warisan government should have started restoring the titles in March and not wait until the election time.

Richard said that in SAPP's elections manifesto since 2013 and 2018 has Land Policy and native rights, among many others. SAPP has also adopted in its policy on Sabah Land Reforms which among many other things on land specifically stated that “Applications to extend the existing land lease tenure from 99 years to 999 years shall be allowed”.

“Lest we forget, SAPP President Datuk Yong Teck Lee, had even approved the Likas Taman Seputeh land titles to 999 years when he was the Sabah Chief Minister,” Richard reminded.