MIRI, Sept 5: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sarawak is merely seeking political mileage by pledging that they wanted to restore and protect native customary rights (NCR) land by way of legislation and amendment of NCR laws.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said PKR Sarawak’s chairman Larry Sng’s recent statement was merely a tactic to garner votes for the political party during the upcoming state election.
“I read with great amusement the statement by Sng.
“PKR was in power for 22 months in the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government but what had the party done for NCR landowners?
“As a matter of fact, one of its former members in the Parliament had even called on the PH government to stop allocating fund for NCR land perimeter survey operations,” he said this during a dinner last night for the Telang Usan community in conjunction with the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) mini-convention held here today.
Uggah, who is PBB deputy president said the same member too had been a vocal critic of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government effort to resolve NCR land problems through Section 6 and Section 18 of the State Land Code, referring to former PKR Sarawak chairman Baru Bian.
“But then, he and his family members had benefitted through these very Sections that he had opposed.
“Such is the insincerity and unfairness to the rest who are waiting for their land titles to be issued.
“PKR is obviously trying to fish for votes.
“But I believe NCR land owners are now better informed of the seriousness and commitment of the GPS government in recognising NCR land ownership,” he added.
Uggah said the opposition parties including PKR had to resort to sweet promises to counter the GPS government.
On the PBB mini-convention, he said the next one would be held in Betong, followed by Sibu in October before ending in Kuching.
He quipped that the state election would be just “around the corner ” and thus PBB needed to prepare its grassroots members.
Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau and Layar assemblyman Gerald Rentap Jabu were among those present.
Additionally, GPS secretary-general Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi said GPS was now very much respected for its unity, strength, and stability nationwide.
“Even our Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin speaks highly of GPS to us.
“When GPS is strong, it can help to stabilise the federal government.
“Then we can expect a lot of goodies from the federal government,” he said.
Nanta said he was all for Dennis to be re-nominated to defend the Telang Usan seat.
Nonetheless, he said he would leave the final decision to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg who is also PBB president to decide on the candidacy.
“Dennis has shown himself to be a disciplined, dedicated and hardworking representative.
“Looking at the current political landscape, there is no point to rock the boat,” he said. —DayakDaily
