SARAWAK has slashed by 50% land premium for all state government resettlement and village extension schemes.

Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg said the effective date of the new premium is May 6 and rate capped at RM2,500 per residential lot.

The new rates are retrospective and any payment made on or before May 6 exceeding RM2,500 would be refunded, he said.

The chief minister announced this at a media conference at his office in the state legislative assembly building today.

The reduction by half was a fulfilment of a promise he made to assist the people to mitigate the rising cost of living, he said.

It also meant the state government would have to make a refund of more than RM43 million to 7,174 land owners.

They can also pay the RM2,500 premium in instalments.

“They have 10 years to pay the RM2,500 premium. That means they only pay RM250 a year,” Abang Johari said.

On the refund, he said it is payable only to land’s original owner, lots transferred to beneficiaries, holders of letters of administration and by way of “love and affection” among immediate family members.

“The refund of excess land premium shall not apply to lots transferred by sales and purchase.”

Land owners have up to October 31, 2019, to apply for their refund.

Visiting a resettlement area in Maludam, Sri Aman division, on May 7, village folk told the chief minister of their financial difficulties paying the land premium. – September 6, 2018.