BETONG: The Sarawak Government remains committed to ensuring the protection of Native Customary Rights (NCR) land belonging to the Iban community in the Padeh area for the benefit of future generations through the presentation of land title deeds under Section 18 of the Sarawak Land Code (KTS) held at Rumah Panjang Bungkang, Padeh, on Tuesday.

Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh said the recognition and issuance of land ownership titles are crucial as land remains a key asset in the daily lives of the people, particularly within the Iban community.

According to him, the Sarawak Government has, over the past 16 years, worked to identify the best methods to expedite the NCR land surveying process for the benefit of the rakyat through the implementation of the NCR New Initiative Programme introduced in 2010.

He said the programme is implemented in two stages, namely perimeter surveying and gazettement under Section 6 of the Sarawak Land Code, followed by the issuance of permanent land titles under Section 18 of the KTS to NCR landowners.

He added that the surveying and measurement process is not easy due to various challenges and high costs involved, but all related expenses are fully borne by the Sarawak Government under the leadership of Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg.

“Now that everyone has their own land, what needs to be done is to ensure these lands are developed through agricultural activities such as rubber, paddy, oil palm, durian and fruit cultivation to improve family income,” he said when officiating the event.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak and Layar Assemblyman Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu described the handover of the land titles as a Gawai gift for 44 recipients from Rumah Panjang Sungai Sibau, Rumah Panjang Bungkang and Rumah Panjang Gawis.

He hoped recipients would not take the easy route by selling their land, but instead utilise it to generate income and strengthen their family economy.

He also urged local residents who have yet to obtain land grants under Section 18 to contact the Betong Land and Survey Department to apply for the land measurement process.

In addition, he touched on the potential of carbon trading as a new economic opportunity that landowners could leverage to generate future income.

According to the Betong Land and Survey Department, Section 18 of the Sarawak Land Code is a permanent land title issued to Native Customary Rights landowners, providing legal and lasting ownership assurance.

Through the NCR New Initiative Programme under Section 6 of the KTS, a total of 10,164 hectares, equivalent to 25,111.79 acres, in the Padeh area has been successfully gazetted.

For the implementation of Phase 2 of the NCR New Initiative under Section 18 of the KTS in the Padeh area, a total of 361 individual lots involving 682 hectares or 1,685.26 acres have been successfully surveyed.

The land title presentation during the ceremony involved 44 recipients from Rumah Panjang Sungai Sibau, Rumah Panjang Bungkang and Rumah Panjang Gawis, covering 48 land lots with a total area of 236.69 hectares.

Also present were Betong MP Dato Dr Richard Rapu, Betong Resident Datu Richard Michael Abunawas, Betong Land and Survey Superintendent TPr Moris Nayup, Betong District Officer Laga Kueh, as well as heads of departments and representatives from related agencies. -UKASnews

Translator: Uilson Ng