Awang Tengah (front row, fifth left) in a group photo with other distinguished guests and land title recipients in Bau today.

KUCHING (Nov 28): A total of 55,707 surveyed lots have been issued with 50,758 titles as of Oct 31 this year under the traditional village survey programme, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

Awang Tengah, who is also Second Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development, said this figure included the 332 titles under Section 18 of the State Land Code which he handed over today in Bau.

The 332 titled lots are located at Kampung Buso (51 titles), Kampung Bogag (158) and Kampung Skibang (123) – all are traditional Bidayuh villages in the Tasik Biru state constituency.

The land survey programme is separate from the New Initiative NCR Land Perimeter Survey programme mooted in 2010, he said.

“I hope the titled land will be used wisely. Rather than selling it for short-term profit, develop and cultivate it for a better future. I urge all Sarawakians to support the government’s plans and cooperate fully in the NCR and traditional village survey programmes for the benefit of all communities.

“Together, we can ensure that Sarawak achieves its vision of becoming a high-income, prosperous state by 2030,” Awang Tengah said at the handover of titles for the Bumiputera Communal Reserve Gazettement under Section 6 of the Sarawak Land Code (SLC) and Land Title Deeds under Section 18 of the SLC (Agricultural and Traditional Villages) for Tasik Biru constituency at Dewan Sri Singai Bau, near here.

Awang Tengah also informed that the government is conducting these programmes to ensure ownership rights for long-standing settlements, and they are ongoing and based on demand.
“Villagers must submit applications to the Land and Survey Department,” he added.

Since matters on the recognition and issuance of NCR land titles are close to the hearts of the people, he said the government has reviewed methods to expedite the process of surveying NCR land to ensure landowners possess ownership documents, clearly defined boundaries, and protection against encroachments.

In 2010, the government introduced the New Initiative NCR Land Survey Programme which was implemented in two phases: the first involves perimeter surveys and gazettement under Section 6 of the SLC as Bumiputera Communal Reserve (Agriculture) while the second phase deals with individual lot surveys and the issuance of land titles under Section 18 of the SLC.

This New Initiative NCR Land Survey Programme was established during the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) Sabah-Sarawak Bumiputera Lab held on Feb 22 to March 5, 2010.

It is monitored through the Bumiputera Special Programme (PKB) under the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) of the Prime Minister’s Department.

Since 2010, the federal government, through PKB, has allocated funds of RM243,107,173 for the NCR Land Survey Programme.

Additionally, the Sarawak government, under the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, allocated RM40 million for NCR land survey.

The NCR land survey programmes are carried out based on applications submitted by NCR land claimants in which their applications are reviewed based on legal requirements and valid evidence before approval for surveying.

As for cases involving disputes or court proceedings, he said surveys will not proceed unless the cases are withdrawn but claimants must reapply for the NCR land survey if necessary.

The first phase of NCR land surveys facilitates the rapid measurement of large NCR land areas, establishing clear boundaries registered in the land register and gazetted as Bumiputera Communal Reserves under Section 6 of the SLC.

From 2010 to Oct 3 this year, the Sarawak Land and Survey Department successfully conducted perimeter surveys for approximately 1,168,123 hectares state-wide and, out of this, 924,596 hectares have been gazetted, he pointed out, adding this demonstrates the significant progress achieved through the NCR Land Survey Programme.

Also in Bau today, Awang Tengah handed over Bumiputera Communal Reserve Gazettes (Agriculture) under Section 6 of the SLC for lots located at Bobak Sejinjang (1,712.15 hectares), Bogag (673.13 hectares) and Banan (121 hectares).

“After the issuance of Bumiputera Communal Reserve Gazettes under Section 6 of the SLC, the next step is the second phase.

“Individual lot surveys and the issuance of land titles under Section 18 of the SLC are actively being implemented. This programme covers all areas and regions in Sarawak, ensuring that all Bumiputera communities with legitimate NCR land rights are included, provided the claims are substantiated and legally valid,” Awang Tengah added.

Surveys of individual lots are carried out based on approved applications for areas that have undergone perimeter surveys and been gazetted under Section 6 of the State Land Code.

Dialogues are held with NCR land claimants before survey activities commence, providing explanations and collecting feedback to facilitate the process.

But surveys will only proceed with the consent and support of the land claimants. If claimants do not wish to have their land surveyed, the work will not be conducted, the deputy premier pointed out.

“For cases still under dispute or in court, surveys will only proceed once the cases are resolved or withdrawn. Claimants must then reapply to participate in the NCR Land Survey Programme,” he said.

For smooth implementation, he added, claimants whose lands are gazetted under Section 6 of the SLC must cooperate fully with the Sarawak Land and Survey Department by identifying boundaries and making them clear; ensuring the claimed land is free of disputes or overlapping claims, and ensuring boundary-sharing landowners are present during the survey.

He also emphasised the importance of full cooperation from community leaders, heads of villages, and NCR landowners to prevent delays.

“I urge everyone to support this programme wholeheartedly and trust the government’s commitment to ensuring smooth implementation.”

As of Oct 31 this year, a total of 93,222 individual lots, covering 112,021 hectares, have been surveyed, including 956 land title deeds under Section 18 of the State Land Code.

These include lots located at Segong (148 titles), Senibung (26), Tanjong Poting (116), Apar (139), Sibuluh (194), Atas (109) and Grogo (224).

“This initiative will continue as long as it is needed, free of charge. The government guarantees rights to NCR landholders, provided their claims are legally valid.

“Titles issued under Section 18 of the SLC are tax-exempt, premium-free, and remain perpetually owned. This reflects the government’s unwavering commitment to protecting the people’s rights,” he stressed.

Among the VIPs present at the function were State Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Mohd Asfia Awang Nasar; Tasik Biru assemblyman Dato Henry Harry Jinep, who is also Deputy Minister of Transport; and Dayak Bidayuh National Association president Datu Ik Pahon Joyik.