By Lian Cheng and Chris Bishop
KUCHING, March 30: An assemblyman has appealed to the Sarawak government to turn the land status of Batang Ai Resettlement Scheme area developed by Salcra (Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority) into Native Customary Rights (NCR) land.
Batang Ai assemblyman Datuk Malcolm Mussen Lamoh also appealed that in the process of doing so, the Sarawak government could waive the cost of issuing land titles under Section 18 while at the same time, grant the NCR land perpetuity titles.
Apart from this request, as a representative of the people, he also hoped for the provision of telecommunication service in the area to be expedited and extended to all users.
The third request Mussen put forth to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg during the latter’s visit to Lubok Antu today was for the authorities to improve electricity delivery system as the residents have been facing frequent “blackout” due to obsolete grid lines which have been in place for over 30 years.
The fourth request Mussen made was for additional funds to be allocated to extend Lubok Antu Waterfront project which involves the construction of two concrete Gantong bridges’ (concrete suspension bridges) across the Batang Ai River.
He said the building of the two bridges will benefit the residents of five nearby villages.
“Let the design be more unique and aesthetic so that it can further improve the ambience of the town,” said Mussen in his speech at the ceremony to welcome the Chief Minister’s visit to Lubok Antu today. — DayakDaily
