In stating this, Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association (Sheda) Kuching branch adviser Sim Kiang Chiok declared this was great news for those who owned land less than 100 acres as well as residential land, The Borneo Post reported.

“Now, there are no worries of any penalties or more serious consequences such as seizure and auction of land for defaulting on non-payment of land rent,” he was quoted by the English daily as saying.

Sim also commended Chief Minister Adenan Satem for finding a solution to the people’s problems with the rising cost of living.

“He has also worked on reducing the electricity tariffs, abolished toll on all Sarawak bridges and made other decisions that help Sarawakians.”

Apart from abolishing the quit rent for smallholder agriculture land and residential land, the Sarawak Chief Minister also announced that those who had overpaid their quit rent could request for a refund.

The remission applies to smallholder agricultural land measuring under 100 acres as well as residential land and would take effect from March 15.

The move will involve 360,422 titles with quit rent amounting to RM8.58 million.

On Feb 26, Adenan announced that the Sarawak government was considering the eventual abolition of all quit rent, in an effort to help ease the financial burden of rural folk in Sarawak, who were struggling with the high cost of living.