Federal, S’wak govts must work together to develop NCR land, says Senator

KUCHING: The Federal and Sarawak governments must work hand in hand to develop native customary rights (NCR) land for the benefit of the people, says Senator Abun Sui Anyit.

The Sarawak PKR deputy chairman said since land was a state matter, it was the responsibility of the state government to issue land titles to native landowners under Section 18 of the state Land Code.

“This will enable the natives to be involved in land development efforts by the Federal Government,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (Sept 12).

Abun also said the issuing of land titles was important so that the natives would not face obstacles or be deprived of development that required land titles, such as carbon trading.

“If the Sarawak government introduces land development that needs land titles, it must also be ready to issue land titles to the people.

“All this needs the Sarawak government’s political will to empower the people economically,” he said.

According to the 12th Malaysia Plan’s mid-term review (12MP MTR) released on Monday (Sept 11), the Federal Government will further strengthen the development of NCR land based on an integrated land development approach through cooperation among federal agencies, state governments and the private sector.

Survey and mapping exercises of NCR land will also be expedited to facilitate state governments in gazetting and granting land titles.

These initiatives will enable NCR land development and create more income-generating opportunities for Anak Negeri Sabah and Bumiputera Sarawak.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also said the development of Sabah and Sarawak would continue to be given focus through projects and initiatives in the 12MP.

Among others, he said more projects would be implemented to rebuild dilapidated school buildings, with 64 projects currently underway in Sarawak.

On this, Abun said Sarawak PKR was willing to help the unity government monitor the implementation of federal projects in the state.

“I hope the focus will be on good and transparent management,” he added.