Sarawak govt to fund survey of NCR lands — Awg 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 to 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.

He explained that under the first stage, perimeter survey was carried out for the purpose of gazetting land as Bumiputera Communal Reserve (Agriculture) under Section 6 of the State Land Code.

As of October 2018, a total 870,265 hectares were perimeter surveyed, of which 687,258 hectares had been gazetted.

“In the second stage, these land under Section 6 will be surveyed as individual lots. So far, a total 22,983 lots had been surveyed involving 28,807 hectares and will be issued with titles under Section 18 of the State Land Code,” he said.

On another matter, he said Dayak Bidayuh National Association ( DBNA) submitted 63 applications for NCR perimeter survey as of Oct 31, out of which 46 areas covering 40,994 hectares had been surveyed.

“Regarding the application for 100 villages documented by DBNA, the Land and Survey Department has requested for more information and sent a letter dated Oct 16, 2018. However, we have not received reply from DBNA.

“Nevertheless, we welcome this good initiative by DBNA and we hope this can be emulated by other NGOs,” he said.

Awang Tengah holds the copy of his speeches from his two ministries, namely Ministry of Urban Development and Natural Resources and Ministry of Industrial and Entrepreneur Development, which were presented at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) yesterday. Looking on are Assistant Minister of Industries and Investment Malcolm Mussen Lamoh (right) and Ministry of Industrial and Entrepreneur Development permanent secretary Datu Liaw Soon Eng.