IPOH – The state government through the Land and Mines Department has agreed to implement the “whitening” programme for land illegally cleared by disposing of an area of about 5,959.75ha to several state government subsidiaries.
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said of the total, about 3,930.79ha had been leased out to operators concerned for the whitening process, for having worked the land for agriculture, livestock and fisheries.
“The remaining 2,028.96ha will be considered for enforcement action or the disposal process,” he told the Perak assembly here today.
Saarani (Kota Tampan-BN) was responding to an oral question from Dr Ko Chung Sen (Kepayang-DAP), who wanted to know the area of land that has been whitened or set for whitening, and the number of applications received and approved since last year, as well as the increase in the state’s revenue through the collection of leases.
He said that for government land that was illegally cleared and plots slated for whitening, an estimated 6,072.27ha has been identified.
He said the whitening purpose will be implemented through programmes such as group farming RBP and issuance of a Temporary Occupation Licence.
“Through the whitening programme, almost 10,000 entrepreneurs will receive land titles or given lease or licence,” he added.
On land tax revenue, he said RM252,777.91 was collected under the whitening programme for land illegally occupied for farming, and RM6,875.80 for livestock farming. – Bernama, December 20, 2021
