Peter Anthony pledges to resolve land ownership issues if KDM wins in Sabah polls

KOTA KINABALU: Parti KDM has pledged to look into resolving land ownership issues in Sabah as the party seeks to shore up support among the native communities for the upcoming state election.

Its president Datuk Peter Anthony announced the policy as he unveiled two more plans under his manifesto during the launch of the party’s machinery for the Kadamaian state constituency in the Kota Belud district, about 70km from here.

Anthony, who is Melalap assemblyman, said if KDM were to helm the government after the election, they planned to improve the state’s current land management system which also included exploring the possibility of granting land to Sabahans who are non-landowners.

He said the state land management system, particularly involving native customary rights (NCR) lands, will be enhanced to ensure all arising matters could be resolved efficiently.

“We will improve the land system in Sabah as there are many issues now for example in Papar, Nabawan and Ranau,” he said on Sunday (Oct 27).

“The government should have a solution, there are many land grants issued for logging, (hence) we will study this position.

“We will insert the upgrading of NCR land management and others into our manifesto, we will give a chance to Sabahans who have yet to own land,” Anthony added.

The former state infrastructure development minister said a KDM administration will also scrutinise previous land issuance to big corporations.

Anthony had previously said KDM will contest the 17th Sabah polls, which could be held at any time within the next 12 months, on its own and has set its sights on more than 30 seats, including all the native Kadazandusun-Murut-Rungus majority areas.

He has also not discounted the party contesting more seats.

Land ownership, particularly NCR land, is a contentious issue among the native communities in Sabah, with numerous claims on the late or non-issuance of native titles as well as land grab allegations in the state over the years.

The state government introduced the Sabah Native Land Services Programme (Pantas) in 2012 as a means to tackle the issue of delayed native title issuance.

Meanwhile, Anthony said the party also wanted to revive the distribution of the Amanah Saham.

Should KDM become the government, he said, some 3.4 million Sabah residents will benefit from this plan.

He said he believed state-owned Yayasan Sabah, with good governance, could provide dividends exceeding RM100 to each eligible Sabahan.