Sarawak native leaders told to help explain NCR bill

SIBU: Native community leaders should help the government to explain to the people that the State Land ( Amendment ) Bill 2018 concerning Native Customary Right ( NCR ) lands will greatly benefit them as the landowners , said Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Douglas Uggah Embas .

The bill was passed on Thursday during the current sitting of the state assembly .

Uggah said the bill would certainly not deprive them of their “ Pemakai Menoa ” ( Territorial Domain ) and the “ Pulau Galau ” ( Communal Forest Reserve) which were two integral components of NCR land .

He said this at the “ Gawai Ngiling Bidai ” ( to mark the closing of the Gawai Dayak Festival ) organised by the Sarawak Dayak Youth Organisation ( Pebedas) .

Uggah regretted that the amendment had not been well understood and had been politicised by many quarters including politicians to confuse or to cause anxiety to the community and , thereby , incurring their wrath .

He said the amendments had allowed better recognition of the “ Pemakai Menoa ” and the “ Pulau Galau ” under the law.

“ The Pemakai Menoa size limit had now been increased to 1 , 000 ha and the title granted in perpetuity and free of premium , rent or other charges , ” he said .

He added the community would actually own the land and could use them , as opposed to a misconception that they were the owners but could not use them .

“ Of course , we will not allow them to be sold off. If the owners concerned want to develop them for oil palm or rubber plantations they should inform the government , ” he said .

Uggah said the amendment too proved that the state administration under Abang Johari Tun Openg listened to the people ’ s concern .

“ The amendments took us one and a half years to prepare. It had been a most arduous work involving many community leaders and dayak professionals with many views and input , ” he said . - Bernama