By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Nov 28: A total of 303 cases involving land and crop compensation disputes worth RM19.2 million have been registered in the Sarawak Bumiputera Court to date.
Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Native Law and Customs) Datuk Jefferson Jamit Unyat said Limbang Division recorded the highest number of cases and value, with 80 cases amounting to RM9.3 million.
“This is followed by Sri Aman with 63 cases worth RM1.2 million, Bintulu with 30 cases valued at RM2.8 million, and Kapit which registered 28 cases amounting to approximately RM3 million.
“Mukah also recorded 28 cases with compensation totalling RM718,000,” he said in response to John Ilus (PBB-Bukit Semuja) during question-and-answer session in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) here today.
Other divisions recorded 24 cases in Betong involving RM424,000; 17 cases in Sibu amounting to RM581,000; 11 cases each in Kuching and Miri valued at RM423,000 and RM217,000 respectively; nine cases in Sarikei totalling RM69,000; one case in Serian worth RM230,000; and one case in Samarahan involving RM153,000.
In replying to John’s supplementary question, Jamit said 157 land compensation cases involving RM12.5 million have been fully heard and resolved in the Bumiputera Court from 2008 until October 2025.
Limbang again recorded the highest number of resolved cases with 43 cases totalling RM8 million.
The resolved cases comprised seven in Kuching involving RM365,000; one in Samarahan worth RM153,000; 18 in Sri Aman amounting to RM234,000; 21 in Betong totalling RM226,000; eight in Sarikei valued at RM46,000; 12 in Sibu involving RM450,000; 12 in Mukah amounting to RM124,000; 10 in Kapit worth RM1 million; 21 in Bintulu totalling RM1.8 million; and four in Miri involving RM67,000.
At present, 146 cases involving an estimated RM6.7 million in compensation remain pending.
These unresolved cases are currently at various stages of document verification, valuation, land ownership checks and administrative coordination among relevant agencies.
On the causes of backlog, Jamit explained land compensation cases generally take at least three months to conclude if a full hearing is required.
However, delays are often prolonged due to shortage of magistrates in District Bumiputera Courts, high caseload compared to available judicial capacity, frequent adjournment requests by lawyers representing claimants or defendants, and extended administrative and verification processes.
These factors collectively contribute to longer timelines and an accumulation of unresolved land compensation cases across the State. – DayakDaily
