Masing: Malays’ definition of NCR – govt is the judge

KUCHING: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing says the government will be the judge whether the Malays’ definition of native customary rights ( NCR) over land is in accordance with their customs (adat).

He said this when asked to comment on the latest development in the Bumiputeras’ struggles to have ownership over land via NCR rights claim.

Masing, who is Parti Rakyat Sarawak ( PRS) president and Baleh assemblyman, went on to compare the Dayak seminar and the Malay seminar over the same matter.

NCR is popularly known as Pemakai Menua and Pulau Galau ( PMPG) in Iban.

The two seminars were held several days apart, and so far no one was telling the real agenda behind the organisation of these two seminars.

Both groups are making claims they have rights over untitled land in Sarawak.

“The Dayak seminar on PMPG that was held recently in Kuching was the Dayak leaders’ effort to define PMPG. Ours was more inclusive. It included all Bumiputras in Sarawak - Dayaks, Malays and Melanaus,” Masing said yesterday following the publication of news on the Malay seminar held on Monday.

“From that seminar the Malays made the effort to define what their PMPG is. There is nothing wrong in them making the effort in defining what their PMPG is. Whether their definition is in accordance with their customs ( adat) the government will be the judge.”

Masing said it’s up to the Melanaus and the other various Dayak groups to make their own definition of PMPG.

“The quicker the various Bumiputera groups do their works, the better and faster it is for this government to decide on the contentious issue,” he said.