KOTA SAMARAHAN: Nearly 3 million hectares of Native Customary Rights (NCR) land in Sarawak have been surveyed, with almost 1 million hectares gazetted under the implementation of the New NCR Land Survey Initiative from 2010 to October 2026.

Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the achievement reflects the Sarawak Government's continued commitment to accelerating land surveys to safeguard the land ownership rights of Bumiputera communities.

According to him, the initiative involves several key processes, including applications, investigations by the Land and Survey Department Sarawak (JTS), engagement sessions with residents and field surveys.

"The programme is based on applications submitted for our consideration. The Land and Survey Department conducts investigations before approval is granted.

"Before survey work is carried out on the ground, we engage with those involved, and that is where discussions take place," he said.

He said this when met by reporters after the Presentation Ceremony of Native Communal Reserve Gazettes, Land Titles and Land Compensation Cheques for Samarahan Division at the Kota Samarahan Civic Centre on Wednesday.

The Second Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development explained that NCR land surveys are conducted in two stages, beginning with perimeter surveys under Section 6 of the Sarawak Land Code, followed by individual lot surveys under Section 18 of the same legislation.

He said cooperation from residents in identifying and verifying land boundaries is crucial to ensuring a smooth survey process before individual land titles are issued.

"Land titles issued under Section 18 of the Sarawak Land Code carry several privileges, including perpetual ownership, exemption from land premiums and land tax, while survey costs are fully borne by the government," he said.

To accelerate NCR land surveys, the Sarawak Government has approved an allocation of RM40 million for the programme, compared with the RM2 million received from the Federal Government this year.

In addition, the state government has approved the recruitment of about 467 personnel to strengthen JTS survey teams, involving an estimated annual expenditure of RM30 million.

He added that the increasing number of applications for individual lot surveys indicates progress in the programme's implementation, as more areas have completed the perimeter survey process.

Responding to allegations that the government has neglected NCR land issues, he stressed that the Sarawak Government has always recognised native customary rights supported by valid evidence in accordance with the law.

By comparison, he said only approximately 260,000 hectares of land were surveyed over more than 50 years, from the 1960s to 2010, before the new surveying initiative was introduced.

"From the 1960s until 2010, we only managed to survey about 260,000 hectares. That was why we began looking at ways to accelerate land surveys to provide greater security for their rights," he said.

In a related development, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah explained that amendments to the Sarawak Land Code through Section 6A also provide a mechanism for applications involving Native Territorial Domain land to be considered, including matters raised concerning Pulau Galau.

According to him, every application must meet the stipulated criteria and undergo assessment by JTS before being considered for the issuance of communal land titles.

Meanwhile, he advised land title recipients to develop their land productively rather than rushing to sell it for short-term gains.

"I advise them to make the best possible use of their land. We should not seek short-term profits by selling our land. Instead, if we develop it, the land can continue to provide benefits throughout our ownership," he said.

He also expressed appreciation to the community for its cooperation in ensuring the success of the NCR land survey programme which aims to protect land ownership rights and safeguard the wellbeing of future generations. -UKASnews