KOTA BELUD, SABAH, Malaysia, Aug 17 2025 – A total of 235 recipients from three villages in Tempasuk, covering a combined area of 221.85 acres, received land grants under the Sabah Native Land Measurement Programme (PANTAS) this morning. The ceremony, officiated by Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living and Papar MP, was held on behalf of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
The PANTAS initiative, a collaborative effort between the Federal and Sabah State Governments, aims to recognise and protect the customary land rights of Sabah’s native communities. It addresses long-standing issues such as delayed land applications, overlapping ownership claims, and unclear boundaries for customary lands.
Through a systematic and integrated approach involving agencies like the Sabah Land and Survey Department, Forestry Department, and district offices, PANTAS has accelerated large-scale land surveys and streamlined the process of granting ownership to eligible applicants.
In his speech, Armizan reaffirmed the commitment of both the federal and state governments to continue PANTAS, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim under the 13th Malaysia Plan’s Special Programme for Sabah Natives and Bumiputera. As of September 30, 2024, PANTAS has successfully surveyed 36,752 customary land lots, covering 54,867.72 hectares across 194 villages in 23 districts in Sabah.
The event also coincided with the Tempasuk Festival 2025, an annual celebration aimed at promoting and preserving the diverse traditional arts and cultures of Tempasuk and Kota Belud. Beyond fostering community ties, the festival provides economic opportunities for local traders and artisans.
Armizan congratulated Tempasuk Assemblyman Datuk Mohd Arsad Hj Bistari for organising the impactful programme, which contributes to the well-being of the local community.