The Malaysian Insight

THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission will set up a task force to investigate a land dispute in Jempol, Negri Sembilan, involving settlers in Kg Serampang Indah and Thamarai Holdings Sdn Bhd.

MACC chief Dzulkifli Ahmad said the Gatco settlers’ action committee handed over documents at the agency’s office in Putrajaya last Wednesday in relation to the land dispute.

“We will act if there are elements of corruption and power abuse,” said Dzulkifli.

“It happened 40 years ago and we will need some time to study the documents and police report. If there is basis (for investigation), MACC will take follow-up action to protect the rights of the Gatco settlers,” he said after meeting with residents of Kg Serampang Indah today.

The 40-year dispute started when Syarikat Gula Negeri Sembilan ceased operations and its 2,000ha sugarcane plantation were given to the Negeri Sembilan Development Corporation (PKNNS) on a 99-year-lease.

In 1977, PKNNS leased the land to the Great Allonioners Trading Corporation Bhd (Gatco), a National Union of Plantation Workers company formed to develop a land scheme for its members, for 66 years.

Gatco then brought in settlers who were offered between RM4,000 and RM7,000 for a housing site and 4ha for planting purposes.

However, the scheme failed and Gatco went bankrupt.

The appointed liquidators sold the land to Thamarai in 2006, kicking off the dispute.

In a The Star report, Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Mohamad Hasan said the dispute had been resolved after case was brought before the courts numerous times.

He said it was dismissed by the Federal Court but the “misuse of the court system” persisted as some settlers were not satisfied with the settlement offered by the state government.

The Putrajaya Court of Appeal will hear an appeal on September 14. – August 27, 2017.