FRUITFUL MEETING: Sajeli (seated, fourth right) poses with Wong (seated, third right), Lau (seated, third left) and other members after the meeting.

KUCHING: The newly appointed director of Land and Survey Department (LSD) Sajeli Kipli has confirmed the location of the 2,000 hectares of land alienated for Chinese independent schools in the state.

The Federation of Sarawak Boards of Management for Chinese Independent Schools president Temenggong Stephen Lau announced the good news yesterday after meeting with Sajeli together with Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh and 11 other members.

He said the land was located between the border of Miri and Kapit.

“They are agricultural lands which are suitable to develop oil palm plantation. In fact, there are private companies who have planted oil palm nearby,” he told a press conference here.

Lau revealed that the federation would set up a foundation to manage the land, which is meant to reduce the financial burden of the 14 Chinese independent schools throughout the state.

“LSD says the lands could be alienated once the foundation is being set up. Therefore, we will try our best to form the foundation as soon as possible.”

Lau said they would consider developing the land on a joint-venture basis.

In Dec 2010, Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud had pledged during a dialogue session with the Chinese communities that the state government would alienate 2,000 hectares of land for Chinese independent schools in the state.

(Source: Borneo Post Online, 12 Jan 2012)