MIRI:  The Land and Survey Department under the NCR New Initiative programme has earmarked the Batang Tinjar region in Baram, covering about 1,500 hectares of NCR land for a survey.

This will involve 1,267 landowners from the Sebob. Kenyah, Penan and Kayan communities here who want the department to fulfill their request for a perimeter survey.

A dialogue between the department and affected landowners was held on July 9 to kick-start this project, with a big crowd turning up.

The department said it adopts on engagement and consultation approach, emphasizing a bottom-up communication to express their opinions and thoughts concerning this undertaking.

“Grouses and complaints pertaining to the NCR New Initiative may be channeled to me as the Land and Survey department is working closely with community leaders to resolve issues pertaining to this matter,” said Land Officer Diana Kuwa at long Loyang.

She called upon landowners to cooperate with the department when the survey work is carried, assisting surveyors in identifying the perimeter boundaries of the their NCR land to speed up the effort.

‘Our target is to complete the perimeter survey of Batang Tinjar by mid September and hopefully with assistance from landowners, the department will be able to achieve its target,” she said.

After completion, the land will be gazetted as Native Communal Reserva under section 6 of the Sarawak Land Code.

The Gazetted will be kept at the Land and Survey Department and District Office and a copy extended to the community heads.

The Gazetted itself is legal proof that Batang Tinjar area in Baram was surveyed and the land rightfully belongs to the community.

The rights over the land gazette as Native Communal Reserve under Section 6 administered by the native system of personal.

Therefore, the customary law of the community in relation to acquisition, transfer and transmission of rights and privileges over land, buildings or any structure erected on the land shall apply.

The surveying of NCR land under the New Initiative is an ongoing process and will continue until the end of Tenth Malaysia Plan the in 2015.

“More areas in Miri division will be surveyed under the NCR New Initiative.

“The ultimate aim of the New Initiative is to ensure all NCR land surveyed and issued with titles, this will go a long way in protecting the ownership of native land and the rights of all native landowners in the state,” said Diana.

(Source : The Borneo Post, 20 July 2011)