You have our support, Khairy tells MB to stay firm over new villages

The Umno MP backs Perak MB Ahmad Faizal Azumu in refusing to grant freehold status to new villages in the state.

There are over 600 new villages nationwide, and they are usually identified with the Chinese community. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has urged the Perak state government under Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu not to give in to demands by DAP to grant freehold status to new villages.

“This is about the Federal Constitution and the National Land Code. I hope the menteri besar does not give in to DAP’s demands,” the Rembau MP tweeted today.

This comes as DAP said Perak should go ahead granting freehold status to new villages, and disputed a statement by Ahmad Faizal on the constitutionality of doing so.

New villages are usually identified with the Chinese community. The scheme was started by the British colonialists, in their attempt to contain Chinese residents living near the edge of jungles, fearing they would support the Communist guerillas.

There are over 600 new villages nationwide, with a large number of them in Perak.

Ahmad Faizal had said that granting the 999-year lease to new villages was against the Federal Constitution.

He said that under MTN’s Specific Policy on Landholding for the New Village Areas, the leasehold period was increased from 30 years to 60 years.

But Perak DAP chairman Nga Kor Ming said matters on land ownership were under the state, and not the federal government or the National Land Council (MTN).

“I feel that it is not contrary to the Federal Constitution. The constitution has determined that where land is the jurisdiction of the state government, the MTN only gives advice, that is all,” Nga said today, as quoted by Bernama.

He added that granting freehold status would benefit all races, adding that it was something promised in Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto.

“When we give permanent ownership, we give to all races and this should be pointed out. This is not a new piece of land, there are residential lots occupied by residents before independence and since 1948 during the (Malayan) emergency, new villages were already in existence,” he said. -FMT