KUCHING, Jan 11: The state government has agreed to fund the development of a new community hostel for the Bidayuh community.
To be built adjacent to the current DBNA’s multipurpose hall, the community hostel is expected to cost some RM16 million.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg announced it last night during the Dayak Bidayuh National Association’s (DBNA) 65th Anniversary celebration cum New Year 2020 gathering at its multipurpose hall here last night.
He was responding to Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Datuk Seri Michael Manyin Jawong who had earlier in his speech appealed to the state government for funds to build a new community hostel.
Plans for the eight-storey building had already been admitted to the Sarawak Planning Authority, and was awaiting approval.
Construction is expected to start immediately upon the funds being disbursed by the state government, and should take about 18-months to be completed.
On Native Customary Land (NCR) documentation, Manyin shared that the Bidayuh community had been doing it since 2007.
Manyin revealed that as of to date, the Bidayuh community had done the survey for NCR land documentation for 144 villages.
He disclosed that he and other Bidayuh community leaders had a meeting with Abang Johari last November to discuss about the NCR land documentation.
Following the meeting, Manyin said the chief minister had instructed the relevant authorities, in particular the director of the Land and Survey Department, to do the follow up on the NCR land documentation conducted by DBNA.
Manyin said that some of the land titles for the NCR land documentation will be issued in June this year as a result of the meeting.
He revealed that the total villages for NCR land surveys are 340 villages and DBNA had done the surveys for about 140 of the villages.
Therefore, Manyin said he and the Bidayuh community was grateful to the chief minister for assisting the Bidayuh community in realising one of the thrusts for their second Strategic Plan (2020-2030) towards achieving high income community which is NCR land documentation and NCR land development. —DayakDaily
