Sarawak Native customary rights in land (NCR)

Sarawak Native customary rights in land (NCR)

Native customary rights (NCR) are created in accordance with the native customary law. The biggest problem is that even in case of genuine native rights, NCR landowners are not truly guaranteed under the law until and unless they are given due recognition with the registration and issuance of land title, which in law they are getting indefeasible title.

Registration of native customary rights will also eliminate future fraudulent claims and manipulation by certain quarters for political reasons.

I hope the State Government will carry out survey and issue land titles to genuine NCR landowners with no inordinate delay. In case of doubtful claims, my view is that such claimants should be given an opportunity to present their case in the public inquiry.

In any event, it is wise for the State Government to survey and grant the necessary land titles to all longhouse dwellers or kampong folks on humanitarian ground as many of them will have no right in law. I had talked this idea more than a year ago to people in authority and also many rural folks especially those honest dwellers who admitted to me they came to Bintulu and settled down here for 20-30 years because of the development in Bintulu, i.e. well after the expiry date for lawful creation of NCR over land on or before 1.1.1958. I am hopeful that the BN Government will answer a call here one day or soon.

In politics, I think it is time for me to have confidence to do the above thing for the people. I request the people at Bintulu to work with me. We work together for the people to convince the State Government that we are doing the right things for the people. In contrast, I was and still am constrained to argue only what are the law of NCR and the evidence available in court for or against the case before the Judge.

Salam 1Malaysia.
9.6.2010