By Conny Banji

JULAU: Rural folk have been advised again not to be easily swayed by certain nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) instigating the people to go against the perimeter survey initiative especially since the general election is getting nearer.

Deputy Minister of Information, Communication and Culture Datuk Joseph Salang gave the advice when officiating at the state-level ‘Komuniti 1Malaysia Himpunan Kasih Sayang’ gathering organised by the state Information Department at Rumah Jelian Laja at Sungai Matub near here yesterday.

He said the main purpose of the government allocating a huge sum for the initiative was to alienate state land from Native Customary Right (NCR) land.

“This initiative is also to give recognition to NCR land through issuance of individual titles to the rightful owners.

“If there is no recognition, it is difficult to develop NCR land especially now many rural residents want to develop their own land for oil palm and rubber,” he said.

He explained that to help rural residents, the Barisan Nasional (BN) government has provided a variety of schemes and subsidies through agencies like the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) and Rubber Industry Smallholder Development Authority (Risda).

To be eligible for aid from Risda and MPOB, he said one of the requirements was for the land to be recognised as NCR land.

He had earlier said he knew that there were members of NGOs who tried to gather a few longhouse chiefs in Pakan area to instigate them to go against perimeter survey.

He said this should not have happened as NGOs “should not use their organisation to talk about politics.”

Instead, it was better, he said, for them to use the platform of political parties they were aligned to so as not to confuse the people.

On a similar note, Salang, who is also Julau MP said the allegations that BN elected representatives were grabbing people’s land were not true.

“Why would I want to take from others when I have my own land?” he asked.

He said although BN could not grant all the people’s requests, it did not mean that their plight was not being considered by the government.

“We are doing it systematically.

“An elected representative is lying if he said he could give all as requested by the people,” he said.

He concluded by asking the people to take the coming general election seriously as “it is about charting the path for the country’s future development and progress and the people’s well-being and prosperity.”

Among those present were acting state Information Department director Zaini Mohamad, Kanowit MP Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, Ngemah assemblyman Alexander Vincent, Ninth Infantry Brigade commander Brigadier General Datuk Stephen Mundaw, Sarikei Resident Michael Dawi Alli, Julau District Officer Chumang Nyambong and Pakan District officer Inting Nyami.

At the function, Salang presented 1Malaysia netbooks, wheelchairs and walking sticks to recipients.

(Source:  The Borneo Post, 12 November 2012)