Latest news with #NewNCRLandSurveyInitiative
Borneo Post
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Putrajaya should continue providing funding for S'wak's NCR land survey initiative, says Awg Tengah
Awang Tengah speaks to reporters when met at PBB HQ today. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (June 28): The federal government should continue providing funding for the Native Customary Rights (NCR) land survey initiative in Sarawak if it is genuinely concerned about the issue, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan. 'If she (Nurul Izzah) is truly concerned about this issue, I hope the federal government will continue to provide funding,' he told reporters at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) headquarters here today. Awang Tengah was commenting on PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar's recent statement urging the federal government to expedite NCR land surveys and ownership approvals, and to halt the issuance of new licences on disputed land. He said Sarawak has made significant strides in surveying NCR land since the introduction of the New NCR Land Survey Initiative in 2010. 'Perhaps she is unaware of the developments and the successes we have achieved. Since 2010, we have implemented the NCR land survey through a new initiative carried out in two stages — first, perimeter surveying, and second, individual lot surveying. All of this is based on applications from the communities,' he said. To date, more than 1.2 million hectares of NCR land have been surveyed under the initiative. 'Almost one million hectares have been issued documentation under Section 6 of the Sarawak Land Code,' he added. He said the second phase, which involves surveying individual lots, begins once the land is gazetted under Section 6 and applications are submitted by the landowners. 'We have already implemented this, and the success has been significant. This is a much faster method.' Awang Tengah noted that before the 2010 initiative, various approaches were used to carry out land surveys, including through resettlement programmes dating back to the 1960s. 'Over more than 50 years, we managed to survey only around 260,000 hectares. Compare that to what we have achieved since 2010 — the results have increased many times over,' he said. He stressed that the Sarawak government is fully committed to continuing the initiative and has already allocated RM40 million to support it. 'This funding can be applied for if needed. In addition, we have deployed over 370 officers to carry out the survey work, all funded by the Sarawak government,' he said, adding that annual spending on the initiative amounts to no less than RM30 million. 'This is an ongoing effort. We continue to receive applications, and each is considered accordingly.' He also underscored the importance of cooperation from landowners, especially for individual surveys. 'They must be present on the ground to verify their boundaries. This is not something we do haphazardly,' he said. 'Once approval is granted, we engage directly with the communities involved. We hold dialogues, verify evidence and boundary claims, and everything is done transparently. With agreement and cooperation, the process can be accelerated.' Touching on legal disputes involving NCR land, Awang Tengah advised claimants to either wait for court rulings or withdraw their cases if they wish to join the survey initiative. 'If they are interested in joining the programme, they should withdraw the case from court and submit their applications. Everything is based on voluntary application,' he said. Awang Tengah Land Survey NCR nurul izzah
Daily Express
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Speed up surveys for Sarawak native customary land, Nurul Izzah says
Published on: Friday, June 27, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 27, 2025 By: FMT Reporters Text Size: PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar said that for communities such as the Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, and Penan, land is more than just a place to live. PETALING JAYA: PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar has called for the expedition of land surveys and ownership approvals for native customary land in Sarawak, and a halt to the issuance of new licences on disputed land. She said for communities such as the Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, and Penan, land was more than just a place to live. 'It is their source of livelihood, a place for worship, where they celebrate their customs and raise their families. Most importantly, it is part of their soul and identity. 'I urge that the process of surveying and granting ownership of native customary land be expedited, and that no new licences be issued on land still under dispute,' she said in a statement. Citing veteran advocates like Harrison Ngau and the late Bill Kayong, she said their unwavering spirit must live on. 'This spirit shines through their struggle – never afraid despite pressure, never silent even when sidelined. Their resilience reminds me that this is a fight worth continuing, to defend the native customary rights that form part of Sarawak's soul and history.' Although native customary rights are recognised under federal law and the Sarawak Land Code, Nurul Izzah said only a fraction of such land had been formally surveyed and allowed legal ownership. 'Many remain unresolved. As a result, the majority of indigenous communities are vulnerable to encroachment, forced eviction, and exploitation,' she said. She also criticised the expansion of oil palm plantations and logging activities which she said had come at the expense of these communities. 'Land is leased to large companies without consultation, without consent, and without proper compensation,' she said. While courts have repeatedly affirmed native rights based on ancestral customs and in line with the Federal Constitution and international human rights standards, she said enforcement remained inconsistent. 'This has forced many indigenous people to face serious legal, bureaucratic, and financial challenges just to have their rights recognised. 'All development must receive free, prior and informed consent from the land's original owners, and fair compensation must be given to any affected or displaced community,' she added. Last month, the Sarawak government affirmed its commitment to recognising and protecting legitimate native customary rights over land, in accordance with land laws. Deputy premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said that since the New NCR Land Survey Initiative began in October 2010, up to April 30 this year, a total of 1,200,766 hectares had been surveyed perimetrically. 'Of this, around 935,760ha have been gazetted as Bumiputera Communal Reserves (Agriculture) under Section 6 of the Sarawak Land Code. These surveying efforts are based on applications from the communities involved,' he said. Awang Tengah said that since 2017, surveying efforts had also covered individual lots for land titles in gazetted areas where claimants had applied and were ready. He added that as of April 30, 99,438 individual lots had been surveyed, covering 118,749ha, with land titles issued or in the process of being issued. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Over 1.2 million hectares of NCR land surveyed in Sarawak
KUCHING: The Sarawak government has always recognised and safeguarded the people's right to the Native Customary Right (NCR) land, provided that it is valid and established under the provisions of existing land laws. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said that through the New NCR Land Survey Initiative, carried out from October 2010 to April 30 this year, ??1,200,766 hectares or 2,967,093 acres have been surveyed. 'Of that total, about 935,760 hectares or 2,312,263 acres have been gazetted as Native Communal Reserve (Agriculture) under Section 6 of the Sarawak Land Code. This survey work is based on applications from the parties involved,' he said when winding up for the Natural Resources and Urban Development Ministry at the State Assembly sitting here today. Awang Tengah, who is also Sarawak's Second Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development, said that since 2017, the survey has also focused on individual lots for the issuance of title deeds under Section 18 of the state's land code. 'As of April 30 this year, a total of 99,438 individual lots have been successfully surveyed, involving an area of ??118,749 hectares or 293,429 acres that have and will be issued land title deeds under section 18. 'To expedite the survey of individual lots of NCR land, the claimants must be present during the survey of the area concerned, mark their land boundaries clearly and avoid disputes so that the survey can be done more smoothly,' he said. The Sarawak government, he added, is committed to ensuring the continuity of the survey programme and will continue to provide the funds needed, in addition to the funds received from the federal government.
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Sarawak continues to safeguard NCR land rights
KUCHING: The Sarawak government has always recognised and safeguarded the people's right to the Native Customary Right (NCR) land, provided that it is valid and established under the provisions of existing land laws. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said that through the New NCR Land Survey Initiative, carried out from October 2010 to April 30 this year, ??1,200,766 hectares or 2,967,093 acres have been surveyed. 'Of that total, about 935,760 hectares or 2,312,263 acres have been gazetted as Native Communal Reserve (Agriculture) under Section 6 of the Sarawak Land Code. This survey work is based on applications from the parties involved,' he said when winding up for the Natural Resources and Urban Development Ministry at the State Assembly sitting here today. Awang Tengah, who is also Sarawak's Second Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development, said that since 2017, the survey has also focused on individual lots for the issuance of title deeds under Section 18 of the state's land code. 'As of April 30 this year, a total of 99,438 individual lots have been successfully surveyed, involving an area of ??118,749 hectares or 293,429 acres that have and will be issued land title deeds under section 18. 'To expedite the survey of individual lots of NCR land, the claimants must be present during the survey of the area concerned, mark their land boundaries clearly and avoid disputes so that the survey can be done more smoothly,' he said. The Sarawak government, he added, is committed to ensuring the continuity of the survey programme and will continue to provide the funds needed, in addition to the funds received from the federal government.
Barnama
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Over 1.2 Million Hectares Of NCR Land Surveyed In Sarawak
KUCHING, May 28 (Bernama) -- The Sarawak government has always recognised and safeguarded the people's right to the Native Customary Right (NCR) land, provided that it is valid and established under the provisions of existing land laws. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said that through the New NCR Land Survey Initiative, carried out from October 2010 to April 30 this year, 1,200,766 hectares or 2,967,093 acres have been surveyed. "Of that total, about 935,760 hectares or 2,312,263 acres have been gazetted as Native Communal Reserve (Agriculture) under Section 6 of the Sarawak Land Code. This survey work is based on applications from the parties involved," he said when winding up for the Natural Resources and Urban Development Ministry at the State Assembly sitting here today.
