BINTULU: Deputy Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, has reminded the public to be honest when making claims on land, particularly Native Customary Rights (NCR) land, in order to avoid disputes and encroachments that could disrupt community harmony.

He emphasised that the Sarawak Government remains committed to recognising NCR land, but only if there is valid and strong evidence to support the claims.

“If the land truly belongs to you, submit an official application and we will consider it, but if it’s not your land, don’t act as if every piece of land from sunrise to sunset is yours,” he said.

He said this while speaking at the Presentation Ceremony of Land Titles under Section 18 of the Sarawak Land Code (KTN) under the Second Phase of the New NCR Initiative for the Bintulu area, held at a hotel in Bintulu today.

Awang Tengah, who is also the Second Natural Resources and Urban Development Minister as well as the International Trade, Industry, and Investment Minister of Sarawak, further stressed that the government provides opportunities for those who truly need land for agricultural purposes.

“If the land belongs to the government and there is no immediate development plan for it, we will consider applications that are made properly,” he explained.

“Many people have applied, and we have approved numerous applications to help citizens improve their livelihoods through agricultural activities.”

He also urged the public not to encroach on land that does not rightfully belong to them, as doing so could lead to legal problems, and jeopardise future opportunities to obtain rightful ownership.