KOTA BHARU, April 29 — Pledges in the Kelantan Barisan Nasional (BN) manifesto for the 14th general election (GE14) are seen capable of ensuring the welfare of the low income earners in the state, especially the opportunity to own land and house.

A private sector employee, Nur Liyana M. Zapawi, 25, said the pledge by BN to look into the welfare of the people proved that the coalition did not neglect the Kelantan people as claimed by some quarters.

"When the BN government provides a more efficient land management, anything related to land matters can be resolved within a short period,” she told Bernama.

The Kelantan BN manifesto, with the theme ‘Together for Kelantan’s Sake’contains seven main thrusts with 60 pledges which include providing a more efficient land administration, abolish quit rent for agriculture land  of 0.8 hectare and below and to improve procedures for land application.

According to Liyana, the current procedures for transfer of land ownership and mortgage at the land office were not systematic and took a long time to process.

"Hence, the pledge to provide for a more efficient land administration and management can help to reduce cost and time,” she added.

She said the BN’s pledge to abolish the quit rent for ownership of agriculture land of 0.8 hectare and below would also help to ease the people’s burden.

"Normally, those with land below two acres are from the middle class and abolishing the quit rent will reduce their burden,” she added.

Meanwhile, Nurul Syamimi Raduan, 28, said the pledge by BN to review the agreement on the implementation of the "Ladang Rakyat” would generate income for the land owners, as well as provide employment opportunities, especially for the young people.

On the pledge to build 20,000 houses under the People’s Housing Programme (PPR) and new homes for the second generation Felda and Kesedar settlers, Nurul Syamimi, who is a clerk, said the people had been waiting for the projects.

"The projects will provide opportunities for them to have their own house,” she added.

She said the promise to repair houses belonging to the poor also proved BN’s concern for the people’s wellbeing.  — Bernama