Group worried over delay in finding concrete solution to issue involving lands

MIRI: The committee – formed seven months ago and led by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas to look into ways to recognise Pemakai Menoa (territorial domain) and Pulau Galau (communal forest reserve) by the state government – has not come up with any concrete solution.

In this respect, Dayak Think Tank Group ( DTTG) president Willie Henry Majang views the hope of the Dayak community in Sarawak to see these parcels of land be recognised by the government as ‘still a dream, yet to be fulfilled’.

“This is the hope for the Dayak community in Sarawak to see their Pemakai Menoa and Pulau Galau alongside their NCR (Native Customary Rights) land being recognised by the government.

“We know that the Dayaks have four ministers, including two deputy chief ministers in the state cabinet, but until today the land issue has not been effectively addressed by them for the good of the community,” he said in a statement.

Willie recalled that in July, many land owners lost their appeal in the court involving their claims on Pemakai Menoa and Pulau Galau.

“DTTG understands that there are 300 cases involving NCR land that are still not yet resolved in court; therefore, now is the critical time for the Dayak community,” he said.

Willie added that it was time for the state government to reciprocate the big mandate that it obtained in the last state election by looking into the interests and welfare of the Dayak community.

It would, therefore, be very much appreciated by the Dayak community for Uggah to propose an emergency sitting of the State Legislative Assembly to amend the Land Code towards recognising the concept of Pemakai Menoa and Pulau Galau, Willie stressed.

He also hoped that the issue would be resolved before the next scheduled meeting of the State Legislative Assembly in November because by then, more Dayaks would have lost their NCR land cases in the High Court and Appeals Court.