KUCHING, Feb 25: Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas encourages all community leaders and longhouse chiefs to maintain proper data comprising their followers and village or longhouse profiles.
According to a press release issued today, Uggah stated that this was vital in facilitating the implementation of various government development programmes, projects, and activities for them, adding that such data may help in the smooth channelling of aids.
“The data should be kept updated,” he said, speaking at a dinner gathering organised by the Serian Division Iban Community Leaders and Longhouse Chiefs Association at the community hall in Serian last night (Feb 24).
Based on the press release, the function was organised under the leadership of the president of the association, Temenggong Datuk Harrison Lunsa.
Also present were the Minister for Education, Innovation, and Talent Development, Datuk Sri Roland Sagah, Deputy Minister for Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development, Datuk Martin Ben, and Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts, Datuk Snowdan Lawan.
Furthermore, Uggah, also the Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development, urged the leaders to continue to play their roles as eyes and ears of the administration.
“But to play your roles well, you must have good knowledge of the relevant government’s development plans, policies, and programmes.
“Then you can inform your followers what are these for your areas. Without this, you will not be able to play your role effectively.
“I would like to assure you the state GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) government appreciate feedback and suggestions on how best to develop the State,” he said.
The minister also reminded them to continue to unite the people in supporting the government.
“With the unity, we can move together in unison (Segulai Sejalai) toward more progress and prosperity.
“We have, after all, a very capable, fair, and visionary leader in our Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who is also rural development-centric.”
Meanwhile, on the native customary rights (NCR) land survey initiative, Uggah called on the landowners to cooperate fully with the Land and Survey Department.
“You may opt to follow the DBNA (Dayak Bidayuh National Association) module to speed up the process through your participation.
“I am using this module in my Bukit Saban constituency, where we engaged those with the surveying knowledge to work closely with the Land and Survey Department team and the landowners themselves. We have done well in expediting the process,” he added.
In addition, Uggah stated that so far, approximately 2.76 million acres of NCR land statewide have undergone the enbloc Perimeter Survey under Section 6.
“We have now 2.1 million acres already gazetted as Bumiputera Communal Reserve( Agriculture) under Section 6 of our land code.
“Another 250,000 acres have undergone the Section 18 Survey and given the land titles.
“And our advice to those owners who have obtained the titles is please use your land for any agricultural activities so that you can have income. Turn your land into oil palm, pepper, or fruit gardens,” he remarked.
At the function, Uggah presented Harrison with a cheque for RM30,000.00 to fund his association’s various activities and three sets of GPS mobile readers to assist them with their NCR land survey.
Meanwhile, Snowdan pledged RM20,000 to the association, while Sagah and Martin each contributed RM10,000.00. — DayakDaily
