MIRI: Every personnel of the Sarawak Land and Survey Department (JTS) must understand that the task of managing and administering land is not merely an administrative responsibility, but also a duty in safeguarding Sarawak’s sovereignty.

Sarawak JTS Director Datu Awang Zamhari Awang Mahmood said that understanding of the importance of land as a strategic asset of the state must be instilled in every department personnel as land is not only the basis for development, but also symbolises the sovereignty and future of Sarawak.

According to him, every civil servant in the Sarawak Land and Survey Department needs to understand that the word ‘land’ itself is emphasised in the state anthem Ibu Pertiwiku, thus reflecting the importance of land to Sarawak's identity and sovereignty.

"We are not just managing files or performing daily tasks but we are actually managing a trust that is directly related to the sovereignty of the state of Sarawak.

"Land is not a small matter, rather it is the basis for the borders, development and future of the state," he said when delivering the mandate at the Level Up Programme: Memperkasa Nadi Perkhidmatan Second Series Year 2026 here recently.

Datu Awang Zamhari emphasised that every action of the department, whether it involves land measurement, evaluation, planning, registration of property rights or enforcement, has a significant impact on the development of the state and the well-being of the people.

Accordingly, he called on all department personnel to carry out their duties with integrity, comprehensively and with professionalism because any mistake could have implications for land ownership, administrative boundaries and the implementation of development projects.

In the meantime, he said the success of JTS depends on the cooperation of all personnel of the department regardless of position or service grade because each staff plays an important role in ensuring that the state's development agenda can be implemented smoothly.

The Sarawak JTS Director urged all department personnel to strengthen the culture of collaboration across sections, practice effective communication and avoid a culture of working in silo to ensure that service delivery to the people is maintained at the best level.

In the meantime, he shared that the scope of land management is now expanding through the development of Marine Cadastre, which is a marine area cadastre management system that will strengthen the administration of the Sarawak continental shelf area.

"The initiative proves that the role of JTS now goes beyond the mainland and is increasingly important in supporting economic development and safeguarding the state's strategic interests," he explained.

The two-day programme was also filled with team-building activities, a briefing session related to the welfare of civil servants as well as sharing inspiration through ‘Bicara Inspirasi Bersama Bella Astillah: Bangkit, Berani dan Bersinar’, which touched on the aspects of mental resilience, self-confidence and motivation in service.

At the same ceremony, several special awards were also presented in recognition of outstanding participants, including the Best Leadership Award to Nur Izzam Azlan from JTS Miri, the Most Supporting Participant Award to Jefferydin Ismail from JTS Miri, while Terra Collective was crowned the Best Group. -UKASnews