MUKAH: The Land and Survey Department Mukah yesterday started their perimeter survey on Native Customary Rights (NCR) land measuring about 1,108 hectares located within the Matadeng-Balingian-Mukah Zone A boundary.

The event was officially launched by Deputy Resident (social) Philip Peter Salam, representing Mukah Resident, at a location near Rumah Budor Indit longhouse at  Jalan Bayan Hulu, about 60km from Mukah town.

It was also attended by SAO Bujang Rahman Sli, representing Mukah District Officer, Land and Survey Department Mukah land officer Bujang Radin, officers and surveyors from the department, Tuai Rumah Bakar Jelenggai, Tuai Rumah John Nyalu, representatives of other longhouse chiefs and the native landowners.

Speaking briefly at the simple ceremony, Bujang Radin, addressing the native landowners, reiterated that the government would not give any form of compensation to all native landowners whose land were affected by the survey.

“Additionally, the government is also not obliged to give or perform any form of ‘pemali’ (traditional ritual offerings of the Iban community to appease the spirits and environment) while conducting the perimeter survey,” said Bujang, stressing further that the perimeter survey was very important to determine the clear land boundary of native land, to protect the rights of all landowners and to give better security and value to the land for the benefit of landowners and their future generations. 

Meanwhile, Philip Peter Salam called on all the native landowners to give their full support, co-operation and help to the land officers and surveyors to ensure that the perimeter survey implemented by the government under the NCR New Initiative for native landowners in Sarawak, can be done quickly and smoothly.

(Source:  The Borneo Post, 15 January 2011)