Press statement (2) by the Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary General and NP for Tanjong, Lim Kit Siang in Petaling Jaya on Tuesday, 6th December 1994
DAP forms National Committee to Defend Land Rights Of Malaysians
DAP has formed a National Committee to Defend Land Rights of Malaysians whose first objective will be to mobilize public opinion against land acquisition abuses and injustices and demand equitable reforms to land acquisition laws.
The DAP National Committee to Defend Land Rights of Malaysians comprised the following:
Chairman: Lim Guan Eng
Deputy Chairman: Kerk Kim Hock
Vice Chairman: Sin Tong Hin
Tan Kok Wai
Lee Yuen Fong
Secretary: Wee Choo Keong
Asst. Secretary: Pang Hock Liong
Chow Kon Yeow
Lee Kee Hiong
Treasurer: Fung Kui Lun
Asst. Treasurer: Ahmad Ton
Committee: Chua Kow Eng
Wong Yauk
Yew Kok Kee
Lim Hock Seng
Lok Swee Chin
Abdul Muluk
James Wong Wing On
Ronnie Liu
A. Pakiyanathan
Chan Jock Lan
Lip Tuck Chee
Fung Ket Wing
Wong Sing Nan
George John
Yeo Yang Kiat
Heng Hock Jun
Chan Kok Wah
Teresa Kok
Teng Chang Khim
Advisers: Dr. Tan Seng Giaw
Ahmad Nor
P. Patto
The first task of the DAP National Committee to Defend Land Rights of Malaysians will be to organise a National Conference Against Land Acquisition Abuses and Injustices at the Federal Hotel in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, 8th January 1995.
This will be the first conference in the history of Malaysia. for the people particularly those affected by uniali land acquisitions as in Seremban II project, the Second Johore-Singapore crossing and second JB township project, the Paya Mengkuang, Ayer Salak, Kuala Sungai Baru, Pantai Kundur and Pantai Merah in Malacca, the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, Batu Kawan in Penang and the Kerpan tiger prawn project in Kedah, to come together to devise a common line of action to oppose arbitrary and inequitable land acquisitions and to demand for fair and just reforms to land acquisition laws.
Up to now, land acquisition controversies have been completely one-sided as the Land Acquisition Act, in particular the 1991 Amendment, has given the state authorities unquestioned power to acquire land for private development by private companies and individuals. This is most unfair and a total negation of the constitutional right to property of all Malaysians.
The standard retort of state governments and Barisan Nasional leaders to complaints by affected landowners is that they can go to courts if they are not happy with the quantum of compensation offered.
This however is most unsatisfactory as it is the law of land acquisition which must be reviewed and amended.
The promise given by Ghafar Baba when he was the Deputy Prime Minister in 1991 that owners affected by land acquisition meant for development by the private sectors would have the chance to take part in such development has been totally forgotten by all the state governments.
The tin has come for Malaysians to unite to demand for just and equitable reforms of land acquisition laws.