Latest news with #SarawakLandCode
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Borneo Post
Sg Kajah Land Committee again cries foul over alleged logging on NCR land
A photo allegedly showing several longhouse chiefs accompanying logging company representatives to the field on July 14. — Photo from Kujat Dudang KANOWIT (Aug 4): The Sungai Kajah Land Committee (SKLC) again raised concerns over ongoing logging activities allegedly taking place on gazetted Native Customary Rights (NCR) land under their stewardship despite repeated complaints lodged with the relevant authorities. Its chairman Kujat Dudang said the activity, which began in mid-2021, was being carried out under the guise of a Licence for Planted Forests (LPF) issued over Block 1 Lot 8 of the Sepali Land District. 'The issuance and continuation of this LPF clearly contravenes Section 65(3) of the Sarawak Forestry Ordinance and Section 5(3) of the Sarawak Land Code (1958), both of which prohibit commercial activities on gazetted NCR land without proper consultation and consent,' Kujat said in a statement yesterday. He explained that the land in question was surveyed and recognised under Section 6 of the Sarawak Land Code (Amendment) 2018 prior to the LPF's issuance. 'Despite this, the Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) approved the LPF licence, raising serious legal, ethical, and governance concerns,' he added. Kujat also claimed that although multiple police reports had been lodged, no enforcement action had been taken to date. In addition, SKLC has submitted a complaint to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), backed by photographs and witness testimonies. The complaint alleged that certain longhouse chiefs were receiving monthly allowances and commission-based payments from the licence holder to influence villagers into allowing logging on NCR land. 'This blatant conflict of interest undermines community leadership and deceives landowners into giving consent under false pretences,' Kujat said. He stressed that the continued extraction of timber has caused environmental degradation, including deforestation, water pollution, and biodiversity loss — posing threats to the ecosystem, food security, and cultural heritage of the Iban community in Sungai Kajah. In a statement on April 21, the FDS said it was 'awaiting confirmation of NCR land status' on the matter. However, Kujat pointed out that this contradicted an earlier statement from the state Land and Survey Department (LSD), which stated that LPF licenses should not be issued over gazetted NCR land. 'In light of these issues, the SKLC is calling for immediate action from the FDS to revoke the LPF license issued over the gazetted NCR land, LSD to publicly reaffirm the Section 6 NCR status and enforce its protection, MACC and the Royal Malaysia Police to investigate corruption allegations involving the licencee and implicated longhouse chiefs, the federal Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability to uphold environmental laws and indigenous land rights and the Premier of Sarawak's Office to ensure that development does not override legally recognised customary rights,' he said. Kujat emphasised that the people of Sungai Kajah were not against development but urged that it be carried out transparently and lawfully. 'The government must not allow large corporations to continue exploiting our forests with impunity, nor should grassroots voices be ignored.' Photographic evidence allegedly showing several longhouse chiefs accompanying logging company representatives to the field on July 14 has been submitted as part of the MACC complaint. The individuals involved are reportedly under investigation, according to SKLC. 'This is not just a protest. It is a plea for justice and a call for the rule of law to be upheld,' Kujat concluded.
Borneo Post
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
NCR land: Activist tells Nurul Izzah to back up words with action
Peter John Jaban KUCHING (July 1): Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar should follow up on her comments on Sarawak's Native Customary Rights (NRC) lands by engaging with affected communities and other stakeholders, said Peter John Jaban. While thanking Nurul Izzah for her concern, the rights activist however said such issues have existed for decades, yet has drawn little attention from the federal government. 'If these are the same concerns Nurul Izzah is raising in 2025, the question that must be asked is, why only now? 'For years, NCR landowners have fought alone in the courts, on logging roads, in far-flung longhouses, without legal access or media coverage. Where was the federal attention then?' he told The Borneo Post when contacted yesterday. He was asked to comment on Nurul Izzah's recent statement calling for faster action on surveys and ownership approvals of NCR land in the state, and for a halt to the issuance of new licences on disputed land. Peter said despite Nurul Izzah having held public office and speaking out on various national issues, her engagement on indigenous land issues, particularly in Sarawak, has been minimal. 'Still, her concern is valid to NCR landowners, but concern without clarity is not good enough.' He said without meaningful engagement with Dayak-based organisations or other land rights defenders, her words risk appearing 'superficial, a headline rather than a helping hand'. Nurul Izzah, stressed Peter, ought to meet with NCR landowners and civil society organisations, while also pushing for the reform of state-federal frameworks to ensure that native land rights are respected and 'not just surveyed for administrative convenience'. 'For her advocacy to matter, it must now be backed by real engagement,' he said, adding that Nurul Izzah's influence at the federal level could amplify the realities that local communities have long been trying to highlight. He went on to say that since the perimeter survey programme under Section 6 of the Sarawak Land Code began in 2010, civil society groups, lawyers, and native leaders have raised serious questions about its transparency, implementation, and implications. This has included concerns over the eventual conversion of NCR land into leasehold titles—a process Peter claimed that, in many cases, strips the land of its customary protections. lead ncr land nurul izzah anwar Peter John Jaban
Borneo Post
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
PBB Belia Piasau seeks public apology from Nurul Izzah on NCR remarks
Mohammad Aniq says Nurul Izzah's remarks misrepresented legal and policy realities surrounding NCR land, potentially undermining public trust and inciting unnecessary tensions. SIBU (June 28): The Protem Youth Movement of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Belia N.73 Piasau branch has called on Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar to issue a public apology following her recent statements concerning Native Customary Rights (NCR) land in Sarawak. Its chairman, Mohammad Aniq Ashwin Abuzar, said Nurul Izzah's remarks misrepresented legal and policy realities surrounding NCR land, potentially undermining public trust and inciting unnecessary tensions. 'We are compelled to respond firmly and responsibly, given the sensitivities and historical importance of this issue to our indigenous communities,' he said in a statement. Mohammad Aniq stressed that as a prominent leader within the Unity Government, Nurul Izzah bears the duty to speak on national matters with accuracy, maturity, and a firm grasp of the facts — particularly on complex and sensitive matters such as land rights in Sarawak. 'We urge her to refrain from making uninformed remarks and to engage constructively with the Sarawak government and native community leaders before commenting on our internal affairs,' he added. In a recent Free Malaysia Today report, Nurul Izzah had 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. In view of this, Mohammad Aniq noted that Sarawak's legal and administrative approach to NCR land is grounded in law and upheld by the courts. 'The Sarawak Land Code (Cap. 81) recognises native rights including 'temuda' (cultivated land), 'pulau galau' (communal forest), and 'pemakai menua' (territorial domain) under specific conditions,' he said. 'As of 2024, over 1.5 million hectares of land in Sarawak have been identified or gazetted as NCR land under various categories. This process is overseen by native land registries and involves ground verification, community consultation, and legal scrutiny. 'We, therefore, demand a formal public apology from Nurul Izzah to the Sarawak Premier and the people of Sarawak for her misleading statements,' he added. Mohammad Aniq also noted that this was not the first instance of Nurul Izzah disregarding Sarawak's autonomy and sensitivities. He recalled that in December 2015, she was barred from entering Sarawak following public conduct that contravened the state's interest and legal process. 'Given her recent behaviour, PBB Belia Piasau proposes that an indefinite entry ban be placed on Nurul Izzah until she issues a public apology acknowledging her misstatement. 'Among others, she is to commit to a fact-finding mission in Sarawak, guided by native leaders, legal experts, and state agencies. 'Additionally, she must demonstrate respect for Sarawak's legal framework, policies, and cultural context,' he said, adding that this is not a political retaliation but a necessary safeguard for Sarawak's dignity, public trust, and internal harmony.
Borneo Post
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
‘Sik dengar bedok': Fazzrudin clarifies Sarawak's NCR efforts in response to Nurul Izzah
Fazzrudin says Nurul Izzah's remarks seemed to suggest concern for Sarawak but overlooked the extensive efforts already undertaken by the state government. KUCHING (June 28): PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar would have had a better understanding of the Native Customary Rights (NCR) land issue in Sarawak if she had paid closer attention, instead of merely 'melepas batuk di tangga' (saying half-heartedly), said Dato Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, Chief Political Secretary to the Sarawak Premier. In a Facebook post today, Fazzrudin said Nurul Izzah appeared disconnected from the realities on the ground, referencing a local expression 'sik dengar bedok' (not aware of what's happening). 'But thanks to her for seemingly showing concern. Probably she thinks the Sarawak state election is near,' he added. Fazzrudin was responding to Nurul Izzah's recent statement calling for faster action on land surveys and ownership approvals for NCR land in Sarawak, and a halt to the issuance of new licences on disputed land. He said Nurul Izzah's remarks seemed to suggest concern for Sarawak but overlooked the extensive efforts already undertaken by the state government. Fazzrudin explained that since October 2010, the Sarawak government, in collaboration with the federal government and with additional funds, has implemented the NCR Land Survey Programme to improve recognition of NCR land rights. Between the 1960s and 2010, a total of 260,000 hectares of NCR land were surveyed and titles issued. Since the implementation of the new initiative in 2010, the progress has been significant. 'From October 2010 to May 2025, a total of 1,203,003 hectares of NCR land have been measured perimeter-wise. Once it has been measured and gazetted as NCR under section 6 of the Sarawak Land Code, the rights of the landowners are guaranteed,' he said. Fazzrudin explained that the next phase — dividing the land into individual lots — is more complex and time-consuming due to overlapping claims and the requirement for landowners to be present during boundary verification. 'In addition, there are also overlapping claims that need to be resolved. Sometimes the process takes time,' he said. Despite these challenges, he said the state government has successfully continued to measure and issue individual titles, and remains fully committed to the programme 'We even went a step further by amending our land code, namely, apart from NCR land areas, land occupied by communities can be legally recognised through NTD (Native Territorial Domain). 'In addition, we have stopped applications for government land for large-scale plantation purposes since March 2015. 'But if there is more detailed information about the NCR location that he mentioned, we can investigate and solve it together,' Fazzrudin added. fazzrudin abdul rahman Land Survey ncr land nurul izzah
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
