Kota Kinabalu: From 2026, hardcore poor will be categorised as households earning less than RM1,257 per month as defined under the Poverty Line Income (PGK) of 2024.
Under the 2022, the PGK used for programme implementation was households earning less than RM1,218 per month, with a per capita value of RM288.
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Hajiji said the 2025 Sentuhan Kasih Rakyat (Syukur) Programme provides RM300 per month to the poor and hardcore poor in four phases, with each three-month phase worth RM900 per recipient.
To date, the State Government has identified 100,000 recipients from among the poor and hardcore poor.
He emphasised that all government programmes are implemented in a planned manner according to existing laws and procedures to ensure that citizens’ rights are protected and their basic needs are met.
He assured that the State Government would continue to focus on issues of land ownership, forestry development and support for the poor and hardcore poor in Sabah.
He said the majority of Anak Negeri (NT) land titles in Sook have been distributed through several on-site handover ceremonies.
He was responding to the concerns raised by Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup (Sook) regarding land ownership and village settlements in the Sook.
“Between 2020 and 30 November 2025, a total of 2,649 land ownership lots covering 11,121.25 hectares of NT land have been handed over to owners, involving 19 villages in Sook,” he said.
He added that the Lands and Surveys Department (JTU) is actively conducting field surveys for NT residential lots in Kg Sendukut Baru and Kg Sinaron, with an estimated area of 3,200 hectares and a projection of 637 lots in the district.
Between 2020 and 2025, a total of 15 villages in Sook were surveyed, with nine of them officially gazetted as Anak Negeri Residential Reserve Land, while the remaining six villages are still in the process of gazettement under Section 78 of the Sabah Land Ordinance.
On the issue of the relocation of six families in Kg Likas raised by Azhar Matussin (Darau), the Chief Minister said the declaration for the acquisition of part of CL 015669799 land for settlement purposes was gazetted under Section 3 of the Land Acquisition Ordinance on 5 June 2025 and republished on 12 June 2025.
“Land acquisition notices and offer letters dated 30 June 2025 have been delivered to the landowners, while JTU is planning to survey the settlement lots before submitting the lot plans to the Kota Kinabalu City Hall for further action,” he said.
He added that the State Government, through JTU, has completed field surveys of several villages in the Tungku constituency, including Kg Tanjung Batu, Kg Tanjung Labian, Kg Nala, Kg Membatu, Kg Batu-Batu, Kg Talibas, Kg Merabung, Kg Telisai, Kg Bongingod, Kg Bangkarat, Kg Sungai Merah and Kg Sinakut.
These surveys involved 108 NT land ownership grants covering a total area of 89.22 hectares. They were carried out between 2020 and November 2025, and the grants have been handed over to the respective owners.
In addition, 215 draft NT grants covering 279.42 hectares have been completed and are ready for handover to prospective owners. Surveys are also ongoing in Kg Makuo, Kg Pasusul, and Kg Tinagian, with a projected total of 315 lots expected to be completed by June 2026.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the Smallholder Bagahak Scheme, which covers a total area of 30,814 acres with 2,079 lots allocated. Of these, 934 grants have been registered, 1,148 are still at the draft stage and 931 are in preparation.
For Felda settlers, Hajiji said 871 agricultural land grants have been prepared and Felda is processing the transfer of land ownership to settlers. Once completed, the grants will be handed over to Felda Sahabat settlers.
He added that subdivision surveys for CL.115501601 have been conducted, with 907 grants being prepared for housing lots for settlers and public use. All these grants will first be registered under Felda before the transfer of ownership to the settlers.
Regarding land in Kg Garinono and Kitagas, the Chief Minister said that 513 lots have been surveyed, with 158 lots already issued with land ownership certificates, while the remaining lots are still undergoing verification and approval.
“Delays have occurred due to overlapping land applications, land disputes, customary rights claims by Anak Negeri and the unlawful sale of lots by original applicants.
The State Government, through JTU, continues to prioritise processing these applications according to current laws and procedures to ensure land ownership is granted to legitimate applicants,” he said.
On forestry matters, Hajiji said that main roads such as Jalan Kg Mosopoh – Kg Katalirus, Jalan Sapulut – Pensiangan and Jalan Keningau – Kg Pangaraan have been identified to be officially recognised as public roads crossing the Pensiangan Forest Reserve, ensuring legal access for local residents and the public.
He emphasised that the Government is committed to strengthening coordination between the Sabah Forestry Department, the Public Works Department and relevant authorities to allow maintenance, repair and upgrading works to be carried out in an organised manner, ensuring safety, accessibility and environmental sustainability.
Hajiji said the Government is committed to ensuring that basic needs in remote areas such as Nabawan and Pensiangan continue to receive attention for the welfare and safety of residents.
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