Abg Johari approves more recruitment of staff for Land and Survey Dept
KUCHING: Sarawak government has approved the recruitment of additional staff for Land and Survey Department to increase its capacity especially in perimeter survey of native customary rights (NCR) land.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said this has to be done considering the sensitive nature of issues related to NCR.
“NCR is sensitive issue. When there is problem, there will be people who will ‘gago’ (busybody) and take the opportunity to fan up the issue. Mind you out there, there are those who are ‘tukang kipas’ (fanning up any issue).
“Therefore, when the department’s director said there is not enough manpower in handling ma ers such as NCR, we approved the request in order to increase its capacity,” he said when launching the department’s Innovation and Integrity Day 2019 yesterday.
Earlier, Land and Survey director Zaidi Mahdi said an additional recruitment of 467 officers of various categories had been approved for the department.
He pointed out that since Sarawak government had allocated RM40 million for NCR Perimeter Survey Programme this year, the increase in capacity will enable the department to be more effective in carrying out its duties in line with the government’s aspirations.
On another ma er, Abang Johari also lauded the department’s for its plan to upgrade to Same Day Registration next year from the existing One Day Registration for registration of land transactions.
He said this will dispel negative perception of delay in transaction due to biased priority as wrongly alleged by many.
He also praised the department for embracing technology by coming up with innovations such as Land and Survey Information System (Lasis) which is now. mobile app allowing users to gain immediate information.
He singled out another innovation called Sarapeg which has also won many awards nationally and internationally including Receiver of International Federation of Investors Association (IFIA) Best Invention Medal 2019.
“I am proud that Sarapeg won despite competing with entries from private sector,” he said.
He also called on other departments particularly Public Works Department ( JKR) and Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) to emulate Land and Survey Department in upholding integrity.
“This is important. When the work process is done right, it is because integrity is being observed. With integrity, processes can be improved from time to time, and officers must also be on their toes all the time,” he said.
Among those present were Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talib Zulpilip, State Secretary Datu Jaul Samion and Assistant Minister of Urban Development and Natural Resources Datu Len Talif Saleh.