Elated land applicants get grants

Supani (left), and Liam

12 December 2024

KOTA BELUD: Supani Tuboh of Kampung Kiau Nulu was overjoyed to finally receive his long-awaited land grant.

After years of waiting, he had been approved for the grant, thanks to the recent mobilisation of PANTAS' services in his area. PANTAS means Perkhidmatan Tanah Adat Negeri Sabah or loosely translated Native Land Administration Service of Sabah.

"It's been a long and arduous journey," Supani said, reminiscing about the many years he had waited for the surveying and grant process to be completed.

He noted that many others had been waiting just as long, with some having applied as far back as the 1970s and 1980s.

For generations, these individuals had hoped to one day own their own land, but unfortunately, some of the older applicants had since passed away, leaving it up to their children to follow through with the necessary procedures.

Supani revealed that they had begun utilising their land since they first applied for the land by planting a variety of crops, including rice, pineapples, rubber trees, and coffee on plots of varying sizes.

Some plots had matured trees, while others had been replanted or cleared to make way for more productive crops.

He was tasked with collecting 90 land grants, which belonged to 90 individuals.

He planned to distribute them to the rightful owners upon his return. Expressing his gratitude to PANTAS, he hoped that they would return to offer more of their services.

In his village, there are still 200 more applicants waiting for their grants and Supani expressed his hope that they would also receive their land grants soon.

Liam Sumbin from Kampung Kiau Taburi has waited decades for his land grant. His parents cleared the land for agriculture in the 1980s, but despite their application, they received no response.

Today, Liam is the proud owner of about two acres of land, where he grows rice, pineapples, and vegetables. The grant brings a sense of security, knowing that the land is truly his. "Having the land grant means it's ours," he said with a smile.

The area is popular with tourists, and Liam is relieved that outsiders cannot simply apply for land and establish themselves in the community. "We'll feel secure knowing that only those who have been here for generations can stay," he added.

Liam was thrilled with the speed and efficiency of PANTAS' assistance, which allowed him to receive the grant in just one year. This is a significant improvement over the many years of uncertainty he and his family faced.

"I'm very happy with the outcome," Liam said. "We worked hard for it, and we're thankful for this opportunity. We're not worried about losing our land, and we hope that PANTAS will continue to offer its services to others who need them."

The presentation of land grants was a highlight of the recent visit by Datuk Ewon Benedict, the Kadamaian state assemblyman, who officiated the adoption of Kampung Kiau as a MADANI Village and inaugurated the Tamu Desa.

During the event, a total of 325 land grants were presented to the residents of Kampung Kiau Taburi, Kiau Nuluh, and Kiau Bersatu.

Ewon who is also from Kampung.Kiau was also a recipient of his own land grant.

Supani expressed his gratitude to Ewon, who is also Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (MEDC), for his efforts in assisting the people of his constituency. "I am truly thankful to Ewon for his tireless work in helping our community," Supani said.

Liam concurred, praising the Minister for always putting the needs of his constituents first. "Ewon has always been concerned about the well-being of the people in his constituency, and we believe that he will continue to lead us for a long time to come," Liam added.