By WU VUIDE
KOTA BELUD: A total of 507 land grants covering 694.92 acres were handed over to residents of nine villages in Kadamaian under the Sabah Land Special Services Programme (Pantas).
Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ewon Benedick, who is also the Kadamaian assemblyman, presented the grants at the 2026 Sentuhan Kasih Rakyat (Syukur) outreach programme at Kadamaian Square Hall.
“Land grants give certainty and legal recognition of ownership. They protect families, reduce disputes and ensure land can be passed on to future generations,” he said.
The programme, held in conjunction with the Sabah SME entrepreneurs mini carnival, is part of the government’s push to expedite native land titles.
Ewon said the recipients were from Kampung Kiau Taburi (54 grants), Kiau Bersatu, Kiau Nuluh, Tomis Lubing, Tambatuan, Melangkap Tomis, Melangkap Tiong, Melangkap Nariou and Melangkap Baru.
Kampung Tambatuan received the largest share with 117 grants covering 256.46 acres, followed by Kiau Bersatu with 98 grants covering 132.49 acres.
Pantas was introduced by the Sabah Land and Survey Department in 2011 to survey native customary rights (NCR) land and expedite title applications.
As of June 2025, a total of 70,436 NCR lots covering 488,705 acres have been surveyed under the programme, funded by RM251.34 million in federal allocations.
Ewon urged recipients to develop their land for their families’ well-being and said the Government would continue to resolve land matters in an orderly, transparent and lawful manner.
He said he would continue to fight for annual allocations for Pantas, including in his capacity as Penampang MP.
“I raised this matter in Parliament when I was in the Federal Cabinet. I am confident the programme will continue through discussion and cooperation with the Federal Government,” he said.
In a separate event, 7,750 heads of households in Kota Belud will receive RM200 a month this year under the Sentuhan Kasih Rakyat (Syukur) programme.
Of that total, 1,816 are from Kadamaian, Ewon said.
Ewon said Syukur aims to ease the cost of living for the poor and hardcore poor. The programme is now in its third phase this year, with 140,000 recipients across Sabah.
Thirty recipients received cash assistance at the event. The rest can collect their payments at the nearest Sabah Credit Corporation branch from early October, he said.
Ewon, who is also the Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister, said the state is strengthening its entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Two programmes are driving this effort:
(1) TRUS-MIDE: The Sabah entrepreneur transformation programme helps entrepreneurs upgrade their packaging, including design, MyIPO registration, nutrition labelling, barcodes and expiry dates. Since 2011, it has assisted 800 entrepreneurs.
(2) SME-UP: Run by the Industrial Development and Research Department, it funds machinery, packaging and labelling, retort machines, halal certification and trademark registration. As of 2025, a total of 5,879 entrepreneurs have benefited, with RM60.999 million allocated.
Ewon urged entrepreneurs at the mini carnival to use the platform to obtain information, build networks and understand market needs.
“Focus on quality, packaging, certification and marketing. That is how businesses grow sustainably,” he said.
Ewon presenting aid to one of the Syukur recipients.
