By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, June 28: Sarawak’s Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan has responded to recent remarks by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar on Native Customary Rights (NCR) land matters by suggesting she may not be fully informed about the State’s progress on the ground.
“Maybe she doesn’t really know what’s been happening—the achievements we’ve made,” he told reporters when met at Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) headquarters here today.
The Second Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development (MUDeNR) explained that since 2010, Sarawak has adopted a new approach to NCR land surveying, carried out in two phases—the perimeter survey and individual lot survey—both based on landowner applications.
To date, more than 1.2 million hectares of NCR land have been surveyed under the perimeter phase, and nearly one million hectares have been issued with land titles under Section 6 of the Sarawak Land Code.
According to him, the second phase, which involves surveying individual lots after the issuance of Section 6 titles, has also recorded significant progress.
“This is a much faster method. Before this, from the 1960s to 2010—over 50 years—we only managed to survey about 260,000 hectares using various approaches such as the resettlement programme,” he pointed out.
Awang Tengah who also serves as Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment as well as PBB deputy president, highlighted that the new strategy has yielded results many times greater than previous efforts, thanks to improved methods and strong commitment from the Sarawak government.
“If Nurul Izzah is truly concerned, I hope the federal government will continue to provide allocations.
“The Sarawak government has already approved RM40 million, which can be utilised if necessary,” he said.
He also noted that more than 370 additional officers have been appointed to carry out surveying work, fully funded by the Sarawak government with an annual cost of less than RM30 million.
At the same time, Awang Tengah urged landowners to cooperate in the surveying process by being present on the ground to help verify boundaries, particularly during the second phase of individual lot surveys.
“They must be on the ground when we carry out the surveying work. Bukan main lantak saja (This is not something we do recklessly).
“Once it is approved, we engage with those involved. We hold dialogue sessions to identify the evidence and determine the boundaries.
“We also have our own records so we do this in an open manner. If there is mutual agreement and cooperation, the process can be expedited,” he stated.
He further advised landowners involved in court cases to withdraw them if they wish to participate in the programme.
“Wait for the court’s decision if you want, but if you’re interested in joining the programme, withdraw the case and submit your application. It all depends on whether they apply,” he emphasised.
Nurul Izzah, in a Free Malaysia Today news report, had called for expedited surveys and ownership approvals for NCR land, while urging a halt to the issuance of new licences on disputed areas.
She claimed that unresolved land issues leave indigenous communities vulnerable to encroachment and exploitation, and criticised the expansion of oil palm plantations and logging at the expense of these communities. — DayakDaily
