Latest news with #PANTAS
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
91 Kg Togudon residents receive land titles under PANTAS initiative
PENAMPANG: A total of 91 residents of Kampung Togudon received their land titles today under the Native Customary Land Service Programme of Sabah (PANTAS). Penampang MP Datuk Ewon Benedick, who is also Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister, said the titles cover 157.37 hectares. The distribution marks the first phase of the initiative, with 982 hectares surveyed under PANTAS. Ewon acknowledged the long wait faced by Kg Togudon residents for land ownership. He made the issue a priority after being elected as Penampang MP. Approval from Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor allowed the land survey to begin in August last year. The Phase 1 handover ceremony was held in the village today. Ewon said this milestone ends years of uncertainty for villagers regarding land ownership. He believes it will boost economic activities, especially in agriculture and rural tourism. Kg Togudon is the first village in Penampang to undergo the PANTAS survey. The programme was initiated after Ewon became the area's elected representative. He pledged to expand PANTAS to other villages, including Kg Moyog, Kg Rugading, and Kg Kibunut. Ewon raised the need for PANTAS to continue under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) 2026-2030. The programme has been included in the 13MP under the special Bumiputera development agenda for Sabah and Sarawak. He will seek the Chief Minister's support to extend PANTAS in Penampang and Kadamaian. Most funding for the initiative comes from the Federal government. – Bernama
Borneo Post
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Madius urges swift action on Sabah native land surveying
Madius speaking in the Dewan Rakyat. KOTA KINABALU (July 30): Tuaran Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Panglima Madius Tangau voiced concerns over the slow implementation of the Sabah Native Land Services Management Programme (PANTAS), highlighting that only RM68 million of the RM100 million allocated under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMKe-12) has been utilised. During a recent oral question session in the Dewan Rakyat, Madius questioned the Prime Minister on the limited disbursement, despite thousands of village lands across Sabah remaining un-surveyed. He also asked whether surveying work had been completed and whether the government recognised the urgent need for native Sabahans to secure ownership of their customary land. In response, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories), Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, clarified that as of June 2025, RM70.67 million had been disbursed under the Special Native Programme (PKAN) Sabah. This has covered 69,442 hectares of land and benefited 38,126 recipients. She explained that the disbursement of funds is performance-based, depending on the capacity of implementing agencies, rather than the total allocation ceiling. She also noted that the surveying of Native Customary Rights (NCR) land would continue in phases, and reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring rightful land ownership. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Madius emphasised that many villagers — particularly in rural areas like Tuaran — still do not hold land titles despite having lived on their land for generations. 'I urge the government to expedite the implementation of land surveying under PANTAS and to enhance the performance of the implementing agencies,' he said. While welcoming the plan to extend the programme under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13), Madius stressed the need for immediate improvements to prevent further delays and uncertainty that could adversely affect rural communities.
Daily Express
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Madius urges manpower boost for native land survey programme
Published on: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 10, 2025 Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: Tuaran MP Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau has called on the Sabah government to increase staffing for the Native Land Services Management Programme (PANTAS) under the Land and Survey Department (JTU). He noted a drop in manpower—from 60 to 40 in survey teams, and from 8 to 3 in documentation staff—hampering effective implementation. Advertisement This shortfall, he said, has prevented full utilization of the RM100 million federal allocation under the 12th Malaysia Plan (2021–2025), with only RM68 million spent so far. Speaking at a PANTAS dialogue in Kg. Lokos, Madius emphasized the programme's importance in issuing land grants to native Sabahans, which has benefited over 84,000 landowners across 484,025 acres since 2011. He stressed that without adequate staffing, ongoing efforts and federal support may go to waste. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
02-06-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Strong cooperation key to Penampang's development - Ewon
Steven, Ewon and Jannie beating the gong to mark the launch of the event. Also in the picture are Vivian (left), Chan (second from left) and Phoong (right). PENAMPANG (June 2): The Member of Parliament here, Datuk Ewon Benedick, stressed that close cooperation between elected representatives and government leaders is vital to ensure successful development in their respective constituencies. Ewon, who is also the Federal Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives MInister, said his continued collaboration with Kapayan assemblywoman Jannie Lasimbang has allowed for smoother implementation of various programmes and development plans in Penampang, particularly in the Kapayan area. 'Whenever there is a need, an issue, or a development matter in Penampang, my office together with the Kapayan ADUN Service Centre will sit down to discuss the best way to assist our community. We do not work in silos, but as a team,' he said. He was speaking at the Kaamatan Festival celebration for the Kapayan constituency, held at Dewan Kibouvang here recently. The event was officiated by Human Resources Minister Steven Shim. Also present were Sabah Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin, Sandakan member of parliament Vivian Wong and Bandar Kuching member of parliament Dr Kelvin Yii. Ewon said that this collaboration has also led to the creation of the Penampang Development Plan 2024–2035, which is now a key component of the proposed 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13) for the development of the Penampang parliamentary constituency. He added that thanks to joint efforts with other elected representatives and government leaders, several federal ministers have visited Penampang to see first-hand the needs of the local community, including flood mitigation projects and other development initiatives that are underway or in the pipeline. 'I am confident that with the strategic cooperation and development plans we have drawn up, together with the Federal Cabinet and state government, Penampang will benefit from greater development allocation under RMK13. 'With the presence of my Cabinet colleagues here in Penampang, I am confident that development in both Kapayan and Moyog will continue to progress,' he said. Ewon highlighted several ongoing major projects in Penampang, including the flood mitigation project, upgrading of the Terian-Buayan road, construction of a bridge in Babagon, and the implementation of the PANTAS programme in Kampung Togudon. He also said that under his ministry alone, several agency offices have already been established in Penampang, including the National Entrepreneurship Institute (INSKEN), TEKUN Nasional, an MSME Hub, and a Live Studio facility at the TEKUN Penampang Office. In addition, the Tamu Desa project has been implemented in Penampang to support local market traders and small entrepreneurs. On the Kaamatan celebration, Ewon said it is now celebrated by all Malaysians regardless of race, religion or culture. 'This is in line with the theme 'Kaamatan for All'. Kaamatan is not just for the Kadazandusun community in Sabah — it is also celebrated overseas by Sabahans, particularly the Kadazandusun diaspora,' he said.
The Star
02-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Good relations between leaders ensure development, says Ewon
KOTA KINABALU: Good relations between assemblymen and government leaders are beneficial, says Penampang MP Datuk Ewon Benedick. He said that close relations between both parties help ensure continued development and smooth organisation of programmes for the people, as seen in Penampang over the years. He then added that the same applies to other districts with amicable working relations with government leaders, ensuring development and policies for those constituencies are achieved. Benedick made these remarks at the Kepayan Kaamatan Festival on Sunday (June 1), attended by leaders including Kepayan assemblyman Jannie Lasimbang and PH leaders Steven Shim, Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, Datuk Chan Foong Hin, Vivian Wong, and Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii. "Each time there is an issue that needs attention in Kepayan, I will sit with the assemblyman to find solutions. We do not work in silos but as a team," he said. He mentioned that some ongoing projects in Penampang include the flood mitigation project, Terian-Buayan road upgrading, bridge construction in Babagon, and the PANTAS programme in Kg. Togudon. A Penampang Development Plan 2024-2035 is also included in the proposals for the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13), Benedick added. "I am confident that with these strategic plans and work relations among various parties, including the federal and state governments, Penampang will continue to receive better allocations and development benefits in RMK13," he said. Many economic and development initiatives have been implemented in Penampang, including the National Entrepreneurship Institute (INSKEN), Tekun Nasional, and the Tamu Desa project. On Kaamatan, Benedick said the festival is celebrated by people from all cultural and social backgrounds, in line with the 'Kaamatan for All' theme chosen for this year.
