JOHOR BARU: More than 100 residents of Kampung Desa Perwira will receive their land ownership titles following Johor government's decision to acquire the land.
Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the villagers have been waiting for 28 years for their ownership titles, but their efforts were stalled due to a previous project that did not materialise in the area.
He said the residents' wait is finally over with the state government's move to acquire the land through Johor Corporation, as part of an overall re-development of the area, which is located near Taman Molek.
"Villagers have waited 28 years for their applications but it was not possible because the Federal government had given the land to the private sector in the 1990s. A company was supposed to build an army camp, but that company was unsuccessful.
"The state government has acquired the land for more than RM300 million. This has made it possible for the residents in Kampung Desa Perwira to be given land ownership. Their applications for the titles are being processed right now," said Khaled after launching a community service programme at the Al-Falah Surau in Kampung Desa Perwira here today.
He said that he expects the land ownership issue will be resolved by February next year.
He added that as part of a larger re-development project in the area, 1,000 units of affordable housing will be built and offered to squatters from nearby Kampung Melayu Pandan.
He said this separate project cost RM60 million and would be undertaken by Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor.
He said the state government was committed in resolving land ownership matters in other parts of Johor Baru as well as it wanted the people to own their own homes, either through affordable housing schemes or land titles.
"Recently, I handed the ownership titles to residents in Kempas, and we are currently looking at ways to resolve a land ownership matter in Pulai as well," said Khaled.