NCR land owners must forever be watchful because wolves in sheep’s skin are many and they are waiting for the weak and ignorant to slip.

OVER the years there were many cases of people, particularly the natives of Sarawak, having their native rights (NCR) lands encroached into or taken away from them without their consent.

These matters were brought to the courts and media conferences were held to highlight them.

It has been a long-standing issue for the natives.  As for the Land and Survey Department which apparently has been helping people survey their NCR lands before issuing the titles, it had been the target of various accusations ranging from being too slow to behaving badly.

For as long as there is a need for the state to develop and grow we cannot escape the NCR land issue. What is important Is that those who are affected by it have the knowledge to deal with it in an effective manner that do not lead to physical confrontations or violence.

Besides the legal system which so far has been of some help, another important factor in settling the issue is the dissemination of knowledge or, better still, education on the rights of the NCR land owners.

Instead of taking things for granted and waiting till it’s too late, these people must be made highly aware of their nights to their native lands.

Earlier last month, the Appeals Court ruled that pemakai menoa (communal land) is NCR land, thus upholding the decision of Sibu High Court in the case of Tuai Rumah Sandah Tabau.

The decision was expected to have repercussion on the state government’s land development plans, particularly with regard to large-scale oil palm plantations.

Prominent land rights lawyer Baru Bian, who is also state PKR chairman, said the unanimous judgment by the three-member panel of the Court of Appeals followed the landmark decision of the Court of Appeal in the Nor Nyawai case and the Federal Court in Medeli Salleh that pemakai menoa and pulau galau (communal Forest reserve) are NCR land.

“This decision is very clear. Various interpretations were made in the submissions but we are delighted that the Nor Nyawai’s case (the judges) reaffirmed that pemakai menoa is NCR land, he said.

Many owners of native land applauded the court’s decision as it would have a direct impact on at least 90% of all the land suits filed by the natives of Sarawak against the state government, said Society for Rights of Indigenous People of Sarawak (SCRIPS) secretary Michael Jok recently.
Land Development Minister Tan Sri James Masing however, became a wet blanket on the matter, saying that the repercussion and application of the decision would vary from case to case.

“The recognition of pulau galau and pemakai menoa by the court recently is on a case by case basis. There are instances where the government recognised pulau galau and pemakai menoa as NCR land without going to court.

‘The court decision in this case is not a blanket recognition (or all pulau galau and pemakai menoa claimed by natives throughout Sarawak, he explained.

Here again is another example of where education of the Land owners is important so that they can come to realise their rights and deal with it peacefully.

At the same time, the bumiputras of Sarawak must notice that in the current age of globalisation where competition is fierce, they must make extra effort to act besides educating themselves.

Of course the Government is trying its best to level the playing field to help bumiputras, but until when must they be spoon-fed? Eventually they have to compete without aid, otherwise they risk being left behind or rendered irrelevant.

For Malaysia to be on par with other developing or developed nations, it must have competitive citizens.

An acquaintance told me that it was a pity that many native of Sarawak had been too late in safeguarding their NCR lands because the awareness and education came too late.

But for those who were lucky enough to be among the early birds or who had worked within and with the system, the benefits they reaped were many and satisfying.

It is good that the Internet, especially the social net works become a crucial tool in educating the natives on their rights but there is not much time (or land) left.

Recently, the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) announced the formation a special task force to probe allegations of corruption against Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

The issue resurfaced or came to the fore once again when a YouTube video by London-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) Global Witness entitled Inside Malaysia’s Shadow State went viral after its release on March 18.

This, however, did not impress many. In fact, several NGOs claimed that too often MACC did similar stunts in the past after which, no clear concrete action was taken pertaining to the allegations.

The system is not working and the Government is incompetent,” was among the rants repeated and echoed by many people in the state.

The Government has realised this and had made efforts to repair and enhance its reputation. But no matter how much effort it puts in, it seems that the Government cannot make everybody happy.

Our leaders should do something so as to be seen to do more because according to various criticisms in social networks and even coffee shop talks among the natives, their leaders have not done enough.

In the meantime, Sarawak natives must prepare themselves for the future. Gone are the days when they could rely solely on the Government for almost everything.

We should strive to be competitive in all kids. There is no time to sit back and wait for NGOs or Individuals to make things light such as in cases of disputes over NCR land.

These people must be forever watchful for wolves in sheep’s skin are many and they are waiting for the weak and ignorant to slip.

In short, they must do their pan by being astute, or forever be dubbed as backward rural Ignoramuses who from time to time get some public sympathy when they get conned or fleeced by people who misuse their higher intelligence, but then become quickly forgotten as life must go as usual for the sympathisers.

(Source:  The Star, 2 July 2013)