BAGAN DATUK: A proposal is being considered for plantation companies whose land leases with the government have expired to return 20% of the leased land to state governments if they wish to renew the lease, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said this proposal is currently being reviewed by the Bumiputra Economic Council (MEB) in collaboration with state governments and the federal territories before it is implemented.

As chairman of the MEB Steering Committee, Ahmad Zahid said the proposal is part of the government’s efforts to ensure that the returned land benefits the people.

“We are requesting that when the lease expires, typically given for 99 years during the British era, only 20% of the estate land is returned if the lease is to be renewed.

“This 20% will be returned to the state government, which can then develop it for the benefit of the people,” the Deputy Prime Minister told reporters after attending the ground-breaking ceremony for a road upgrading project from Parit 1 to Parit 10 in Kampung Sungai Pergam here yesterday, Bernama reported.

Meanwhile, regarding the project in Kampung Sungai Pergam, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Bagan Datuk MP, said the project to build and upgrade the main road from Parit 1 to Parit 10 was approved last year under the Third Rolling Plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) with a construction cost of RM88mil.

The project involves upgrading a 4km stretch of road and constructing a new 2.5km road, which will connect the main road in Kampung Sungai Pergam to the Federal Road FT69.

The project is expected to be completed by 2028.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said this project would widen the road and shorten the travel time for Kampung Sungai Pergam residents to Bagan Datuk town.

Under the project, the narrow bridge situated at Simpang Masjid Al-Quro’ will be upgraded together with the existing road to a two-lane road over a distance of 114m, replacing the old bridge with a culvert at a cost of RM2.9mil.

The bridge is located at a major intersection in Bagan Datuk town, connecting Kg Pasang Api and nearby areas to the main route of Federal Road FT69.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/09/02/govt-mulls-taking-20-land-for-renewal