(Borneo Post; March 8, 2007)

KUCHING: In a move to make it easier for landowners, the Sarawak Land and Survey Department is providing an online service for payment of land rent and premium for all land titles in Kuching Division.

This on-line payment’s website is www.paybillsmalaysia.com.

The service would only be extended to the whole of Sarawak by April this year, the department said through a press statement yesterday.

“To register as a member just sign up through the website at www.paybillsmalaysia.com and subscribe by entering the Title Registration Numbers (TRN) which are printed on the land titles and rent booklets,” it said.

“Successful subscribers will be able to view their statement of Land Rent and Premium which details the fees to be paid as well as the due date for late payment,” it added.

The public are, however, advised to pay their dues early to avoid a 50 per cent surcharge for late payment.

Updating of rent booklet is available at all revenue counters of the Land and Survey divisional offices.

The latest system also enables the public, including lawyers, to check and pay outstanding fees affecting titles before submitting instruments for registration at the Land and Survey offices.

“Payment of land rent and premium on-line will now be stress-free (or hassle-free) because there will be no more queuing up or waiting to do. People can now avoid the traffic jams. The on-line payment can be done at any convenient time and at any place with no extra cost,” the department said.

As part of the department’s effort to upgrade its service delivery to the advocates (or legal firms), the Title Registration System has been enhanced to activate an automatic e-mail to the advocates upon registration of instruments by the registrars.

This facility notifies the advocates of the registration of their clients’ instruments instantly so that they can collect their documents without delay. This service is already available throughout the State.

For detailed information, members of the public are advised to contact Sarawak Land and Survey Department at 082-444111.