Heavy rain dampens and delays land code amendment rally
MIRI: The heavy rain early yesterday morning caused a delay and poor turnout of people at a gathering to demand for an amendment to the state land code.
The gathering was called following the Federal Court’s decision in Putrajaya which set aside the decisions of the High Court and Court of Appeal that the land development scheme on Native Customary Rights ( NCR) land in Pantu, Sri Aman was unlawful.
The gathering held at a hotel here was delayed by about one hour because of the poor turnout due to the bad weather.
Mooted by activist Philip Jau, the gathering also requested the government, particularly the Land and Survey Department, to conduct preliminary survey on the communal boundaries based on the respective native and customary laws.
“We are sad, unhappy and very angry with the judgement delivered by the Federal Court,” said Philip.
The people in Baram are therefore appealing to the government to survey their communal boundary.
“We, the natives of Sarawak, have rights over the land. We recognise the boundary of each other and we cannot encroach into other people’s land. We also have individual land within our villages and longhouses.
“The government does not respect and recognise our customary laws. We don’t want money. We want our land back. We demand that the government amend the land code to safeguard our rights and adat,” Philip added.
Activist and lawyer Abun Sui was also present at the press conference.