In a statement today, the Sarawak PKR chairman welcomed the highway project but said the authorities should also sympathise with those whose homes are being levelled for the project.
As the highway is a federal project, he said the federal government should ensure enough funds for every aspect of the work, including fair compensation to those affected.
“If the claims involve native customary rights lands, the government must give additional consideration to the legal authorities that have upheld the rights of the people to their customary lands,” he added.
“Progress and development require sacrifices to be made. Often, these sacrifices are forced onto the people whose properties are taken over for the greater good of the state.
“The only compensation they can get is money. What is offered to them must be adequate to make up for their sacrifices.”
Baru was commenting on a report in The Borneo Post this morning on land disputes arising from the construction of the Pan Borneo Highway.
The daily said the project had faced multiple delays because residents were unhappy about the highway’s encroachment on their property.
The report quoted a contractor who said two of his excavators had been set on fire.
In Sarikei, it added, a resident had lodged a police report after enforcement officers dismantled the fencing and garage in front of his house.
The Sarikei resident, Paran Jambai, told the daily that his family was not satisfied with the RM1,578 compensation for the 451.1 sq m of their land affected by the highway project.
Baru urged the authorities to exercise empathy and compassion when dealing with such cases.
“These people’s family houses could be their only homes and assets. It is understandable that they would be upset that the government wants to demolish part of their homes, or even their surroundings.
“Many of these claims and objections are justifiable and legitimate, and merit careful and tactful handling by the authorities involved.”