Nik Nazmi maintains Kedah Malay reserve land on decline under Sanusi

 

Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad has defended himself against claims that he had lied in Parliament about Malay reserve land being on the decline in Kedah.

Taking to Twitter, Nik Nazmi (above) said he had provided Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul with an explanation on the matter, in response to a motion that referred him to the Parliament’s Rights and Privileges Committee.

He also took a swipe at Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor who reportedly said that the total size of Malay reserve land had actually increased in Kedah since 1933.

"The Kedah MB said Malay reserve land has increased since 1933.

"However, my focus is on the years that he became MB, not the era of British or Japanese (occupation)," said Nik Nazmi.

In his response to Johari, Nik Nazmi also referred to another letter to the speaker from Sik MP Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman, with enquiries on his answer in Parliament on April 3 that cited data from the Kedah Land Office.

Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor

He said the number he cited - 716, 537.28 hectares of Malay reserve land - was data received by the Department of Lands and Mines from the state land office, updated as of Nov 30 last year.

"The department did not receive any additional information from Kedah land administrators on the total size of Malay reserve land from between Nov 30 last year and March 29.

"Therefore, the number that I provided was accurate as of the time it was read out," said Nik Nazmi.

He also said that a larger number cited by Tarmizi - 721,496.95 hectares of Malay reserve land as of Jan 19 - was not shared with the Department of Lands and Mines.

"All the collected data was received without prejudice from all state land offices that had provided the updated numbers every year," he stressed.

Yesterday, three MPs were given the marching orders following an argument that erupted after Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) accused Nik Nazmi of being a liar.

Apart from Awang, Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau) and RSN Rayer (Pakatan Harapan-Jelutong) were also instructed to vacate the House. - Mkini