Sarawak govt should review land policy
MIRI: Senator Alan Ling wants the Sarawak government to review its land policy following the recent incident of forest clearing in the fringes of Mulu National Park.
He said one of the factors leading to the land dispute was the alienation of thousands of acres of state land to companies without open tender, which are often sold to third parties.
This practice has resulted in those involved making millions of ringgit in profit out of the people’s resources.
“The chief minister must show his political will and commitment towards a more equitable land policy,” Ling said when met here yesterday.
He added that land belongs to the state, the state holds it on behalf of its people who should enjoy the wealth it generates.
“But, many a time, only those politically connected are enriched due to decades-long alienation practices of the Sarawak government.
“The victims in the end are the community living near alienated land, and sometimes the genuine land buyers,” he added.
Ling said this to comment on an issue involving the clearing of forests at the fringes of Mulu National Park, which saw human blockades being set up by the Penan and Berawan communities.
Ling, who is also Malaysian Palm Oil Board director, said the conflicts often erupted between plantation companies and the locals due to fear of encroachment into their communal land and forest reserve, which is their living place.
“Why is the Sarawak government alienating land too near a world heritage site?
“There should be an explanation made to the people, particular to people living in the vicinity.
“I sympathise with the local people who have no choice but to agree to the plantation deal.
“If not, their legitimate protest should not be taken lightly as it concerns world heritage site,” he added.
For the failure of the Sarawak government, being the executive branch, authorities like Land and Survey Department has to ‘clean up the mess’, he said.
“If the government continues its practices of direct alienation of large tract of land without proper consideration and open tender, similar incidents are bound to happen,” Ling added.
He, however, said he was pleased to know that the plantation company has stopped the land clearing work. The situation is under control, and the local people are now calm and reasonable.