KUCHING, May 7 — The land premium to be paid by settlers of resettlement schemes in the state has been slashed by 50 per cent, effective yesterday, Chief Minister’s Office said today.

With the reduction, the CMO said the settlers will need to pay RM2,500, down from RM5,000.

"The payment can be paid over 10 instalments over a 10-year period,” it said, saying that nine resettlement schemes in Stampin parliamentary constituency will be among those to benefit from the reduction of the land premium.

The resettlement schemes are SPS Stampin Fasa 1, SPS Stampin Fasa 2, SPS Stampin Fasa 3, SPS Batu Kawa 2 ½ Fasa 1, SPS Batu Kawa 4 ½ Fasa 2 Stage I, SPS Batu Kawa 4 ½ Fasa 2 Stage II (Muslim), SPS Batu Kawa 4 ½ Fasa 2 Stage II (non-Muslim), SPS Batu Kawa 4 ½ Fasa 3 and SPS Stapok.

CMO said there are 2,834 residential lots in the nine schemes which the state government has allocated for the lower income groups.

"The reduction will give an implication of RM7.085 million to the state government,” it said, adding that the state government will return the money to the settlers if they have already paid more than RM2,500.

CMO said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg yesterday announced the reduction in land premium by 50 per cent for kampung extension schemes.

He made the announcement after visiting Kampung Meludam extension scheme in Batang Lupar parliamentary constituency and Kampung Kuala Igan extension scheme in Igan parliamentary constituency.

It said Abang Johari was told that many villagers in the kampung extension schemes found it difficult to pay the land premium due to their irregular income.