Kuala Lumpur: The Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) has retained ownership of 400 hectares of land in Felda Sahabat 22 and 23 in Lahad Datu following a ruling by the Kota Kinabalu High Court on Wednesday.
In a statement today, Felda’s Strategic Communications Department said the agency respects the court’s ruling, which nullified an earlier decision by the Sabah Lands and Surveys Department regarding a proposed handover of the land over claims related to Native Customary Rights land.
“The land was lawfully acquired by Felda through a 99-year lease effective Jan 1, 1984. Since 2009, the area has been the subject of claims by several groups asserting customary land rights.
“To seek clarification on the matter, Felda filed an application for judicial review against the earlier decision. With this ruling, the land remains under Felda’s ownership,” the statement said.
Felda stressed that it remains committed to continuing sustainable plantation development and management for the benefit of settlers as well as the economic development of Sabah and the nation.
In the court proceedings, Felda was represented by Messrs Ronny Cham & Co.
