By Zainon Talip & Molly Tugan

MIRI: Villagers who have managed to get the title for their Native Customary Rights (NCR) land surveyed by the government are urged to submit applications for title deeds through their elected representatives.

Minister of Special Functions Tan Sri Datuk Amar Haji Adenan Satem said it was necessary to prevent anybody from making false claims that the efforts (of perimeter survey of NCR land) were done by the opposition instead of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government.

Speaking at the presentation of Native Communal Reserve titles for villagers in Marudi and Long Panai, Tutoh Apoh in Baram, he said the titles issued had been gazetted under the Section 6 of Sarawak land Code.

“With the land title, it is acknowledged that the land is owned by you and you need not worry of someone taking or encroaching into your land,” advise Adenan.

A total of 63.33 hectares of land owned by the Malay community in Marudi and 772.55 hectares owned by the Kayan community at Long Panai, Tutoh Apoh in Baram had been issued with title deeds which were presented to the land owners yesterday.

The title deeds were received by Fauzi Husain on behalf of the Malay community in Marudi and Gilbert Ding who represented the Kayan community in Long Panai.

Adenan also advised the people not to easily believe the opposition’s claims because only the BN government could tackle land issues.

“The government has proven this. The more land titles issued to the people, the more new applications for titles will be made. That is a good sign and will reflect that the people still trust us,” he said.

He also disclosed that 40 Native Communal Reserve titles had been issued throughout the state since the NCR New Initiative was implemented three years ago and that over 400 new applications for the perimeter survey of NCR land had been received.

Meanwhile, Land and Survey Department Superintendent Unus Tambi said for Miri Division, a total of six areas had been perimeter surveyed, three areas were still in progress and 22 would be surveyed in the near future.

He added that more new areas would be identified for perimeter survey to ensure that all NCR land in the state would have titles.

Also present were Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Water Supply) Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran, Deputy State Secretary Datu Ose Murang, Senator Lihan Jok, Lambir State Assemblyman, Ripin Lamat and Miri Resident Antonio Kahti Galis.

In Bintulu yesterday, at a similar event held at Auditorium Wisma Bintulu, Adenan reiterated the same messages and said the number of applications for perimeter survey was expected to be increase in the near future.

“People now begin to believe in the BN government as they have witnessed many of NCR land issues being solved by the government. It’s a positive response,” he said.
He reminded the Land and Survey Department to avoid any misunderstanding during the surveying process of NCR land.

“Avoid any misunderstanding with the landowners and resolve any problem in a proper manner,” he advised.

Land and Survey Department’s Enforcement Officer Ramzi Abdillah disclosed that the areas gazetted for perimeter survey in Bintulu were Kampung Kuala Segan (1,0223 hectares), Sungai Sengap (181.26 hectares), Sungai Lupak (206.29 hectares) and Kuala Tatau comprising Sungai Kemena Besar, Sungai Serupai and Kampung Kuala Tatau areas (186.4 hectares).

(Source: Sarawak Tribune, 21 June 2012)