The Leader of the Opposition and Elected Member for George Town North, Hon. Joey Hew, has tabled a Private Member's Motion calling for legislative reforms to ensure landowners receive fair compensation within clear statutory timeframes when their property is compulsorily acquired for public purposes.
Private Member's Motion No. 4 of the 2026–2027 Parliamentary Session, seconded by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Elected Member for George Town Central, Hon. Kenneth Bryan, seeks to establish statutory timelines for compulsory land acquisition and ensure that compensation reflects current market values where unnecessary delays occur.
The motion addresses concerns that some property owners have waited years to receive compensation after their land was acquired for public projects, only to be paid based on valuations that no longer reflect the true value of their property.
Among its proposals, the motion calls on Government to:
• Establish statutory timelines for completing compulsory land acquisitions and compensation payments.
• Require updated market valuations where compensation is delayed beyond the prescribed timeframe.
• Increase transparency, certainty and fairness throughout the acquisition process.
• Better protect the constitutional rights of property owners.
Hon. Joey Hew said the motion is about ensuring fairness while allowing Government to continue delivering essential infrastructure.
"No one should have to carry the financial burden of waiting years for fair compensation after their land has been acquired by Government. While we recognise that roads, schools and other public projects are necessary for our country's development, fairness demands that property owners are compensated promptly and at the true market value of what has been taken. This motion aims to provide that certainty."
Mr. Hew, added that compulsory acquisition must be accompanied by an efficient and transparent compensation process.
"Property rights are protected under our Constitution, and when Government acquires private land for the public good, it also has a responsibility to ensure that compensation is fair and timely. These reforms will provide greater certainty for landowners while strengthening confidence in the process."
Deputy Leader Hon. Kenneth Bryan, who seconded the motion, said the proposed changes would improve fairness for property owners while supporting responsible national development.
The Opposition believes the proposed reforms will create a more transparent, efficient and equitable compulsory land acquisition process while ensuring that individuals are not financially disadvantaged by delays beyond their control.