Salang presents land certs to 66 longhouse chiefs
SIBU: The government has so far conducted perimeter survey on some 348,000ha of Native Customary Right (NCR) land in Sarikei Division.
From the number, 260,000ha are in the Merurun area near Julau.
Julau MP Datuk Joseph Salang said Sarikei Division now had the biggest area of perimetersurveyed NCR land in the state.
“This shows the people now understand the reason for surveying their land. They no longer fear that their land will be taken over by other people.”
He said this before presenting the government declaration of communal reserve certificates to 66 longhouse chiefs from Merurun Land District at the Julau community hall yesterday.
Salang said with the certificates the landowners could now develop their land collectively for commercial farming on joint venture or by themselves.
“Of course, the next course of action is to request the government to do the individual lot survey under Section 18 of the State Land Code to get the individual titles,” he said.
Salang added the landowners could invite government land development agencies such as Salcra, Felda, MPOB or Malaysian Pepper Board and others to help them develop their land.
“The chances of landowners loosing ownership of their land is greater when such land are left idle.
“But when you have them gainfully developed you can be assured of steady income to lift your standard of living. Your land is your wealth,” he said.
On another matter, he said the government would pay them fair compensation if their land were acquired for development purposes.