By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 1: Although land matters in Sarawak fall under the jurisdiction of the State government, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, this should not limit the moral and political responsibility of the federal government, national leaders, and civil society to advocate for fair and comprehensive solutions.
In a statement, Kuching Dayak Progressive Association (KDPA) president Dr Ambrose Dango said the association expressed its support for a statement by PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar on the importance of resolving Native Customary Rights (NCR) land issues faced by the indigenous people of Sarawak.
At the same time, KDPA also commended the Sarawak government for its continued initiatives aimed at resolving NCR land matters, including perimeter surveys, land titling programmes, and steps toward legislative clarity.
He also took note of recent remarks by Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, who reiterated Sarawak’s commitment to expediting the recognition of NCR land, backing his hope for continued federal funding for the surveying process.
“Resolving NCR issues must be treated as a national priority. It is not merely a local administrative concern—it is a matter of justice, dignity, and national unity.
“Sustainable solutions will only emerge through inclusive cooperation between federal and State authorities, native communities, and credible grassroots platforms.
“We thank Nurul Izzah for her principled advocacy and call on all relevant stakeholders—at both the federal and Sarawak governments—to work together with sincerity and political will toward equitable resolution of NCR issues,” he said.
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
