Sarawak govt will foot survey of NCR lands — Awang Tengah

KUCHING: The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) state government will come up with its own financial allocation to fund the Native Customary Rights (NCR) land survey new initiative previously funded by the previous Barisan Nasional federal government.

Second Minister of Urban Development and Natural Resources Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said they had to take this step because the new federal government under Pakatan Harapan did not approve any specific allocation under next year's budget for this purpose.

Speaking at the State Legislative Assembly, he said the previous federal government allocated a total RM161 million in annual budgets since 2010 and even allocated RM90 million under the 11th Malaysia Plan for the NCR land survey new initiative.

“The previous federal government was very concerned about the need for NCR land to be surveyed even though it was known this matter is state matter. Unfortunately, the 2019 federal budget did not have specific mention on whether this programme will be continued. We don't know whether this federal government will continue to provide financing for this purpose or not.

“I hope and appeal to the federal government under Pakatan Harapan will continue to provide the funds. If none is given by the federal government, I am confident our Chief Minister will provide the funds because this programme is very much needed by the people, especially the Bumiputera,” he said when presenting his ministerial winding-up speech.