MIRI: Miri Planters Association has joined forces with SUPP Piasau branch to embark on efforts to help farmers apply for agricultural land from the state government.
The registration forms are available at SUPP office since last month.
So far a total of 418 applications have been received from farmers from all over Miri.
At a press conference yesterday, SUPP Piasau branch chairman Datuk Sebastian Ting said the proposal had received overwhelming response from farmers who do not have their own land, or are renting land from others.
The good deed has produced rumours spread virally by critics, so Ting wants to clear up public misconception.
The reason we embark on this is to enable local farmers to work without disruption. They must understand that agricultural land is not equivalent to grant. More accurately, farmers are either renting from the state government or given a Temporary Occupational Licence (TOL).
Thus if the farmer abuses the privilege by doing other business, the TOL will be revoked, he said.
Ting revealed that many have questioned him on whether the effort could succeed.
If there is a will, there is a way. The first step is always the hardest and most difficult. But if we never try, the chances are we never know the outcome, Ting said.
Also present at the press conference were chairman of Miri Planters Association Jong Tze Khiun, chairman of SUPP Pujut branch Adam Yii, SUPP Lambir branch chairman Lee Thin Hin, Kapitan Chai Soon Thin and its members.
Farmers who have yet to apply are urged to get their application form from SUPP Miri Piasau branch office before the closing date on Dec 31.
