By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Nov 7: Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB) wants an outright recognition of native customary rights (NCR) over land instead of land with NCR having to first go through the hassle of perimeter survey and approval of the Land Registrar.
Its Youth secretary, Julius Enchana, observed that disputes over NCR recognition and perimeter survey seemed to create animosity among elected representatives in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly.
In a statement today, he said he supported Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian (PKR-Ba’kelalan)’s take that NCR land existed regardless of whether they are surveyed or not, and their existence does not arise from a survey.
“But the most vital question is that without official recognition of the NCR, how could the Dayaks benefit from the perimeter survey if their own ancestral land are not recognised under Section 18 of the Land Code?”
“It is right when YB Baru Bian said that NCR exists regardless if they are surveyed or not, and their existence does not arise from a survey.
“No doubt, allocation for a perimeter survey is also important as well, but without the rightful recognition in place, what shall that survey result be? Under Section 6 of the Land Code, instead of Section 18?” Julius questioned, adding that PBDSB is always about Dayaks’ rights and agenda, especially when it comes to NCR land.
He emphasized that NCR land indeed needed to have its full recognition as they existed long before Sarawak had any governance office.
“It is also recorded facts under Majlis Adat Istiadat that it is our Dayaks’ rights on our ancestral land,” he argued.
He said the chaos or havoc (over land issues) on the ground had happened before due to no rightful and proper recognition being made on NCR, till today.
“It is best that NCR land get the rightful recognition it deserves. The Dayaks have been waiting for it for 55 years.
“We do not see any point beyond it all if NCR land still remains under the jurisdiction of a state land after perimeter survey or being (as) just as usufructuary rights for the Dayak people,” he said. — DayakDaily
