KUCHING: PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar should get more details from the state authorities to have a better picture on the Native Customary Rights (NCR) land issue in Sarawak, said Puncak Borneo MP Datuk Willie Mongin.
He said making unverified statements pertaining to the issue does not help solve the problem, but instead could negatively impact a relationship, which may potentially lead to hurt feelings.
“Nurul should have obtained more details on what causes the delay in the NCR land surveys in Sarawak before making her statement, which seems to be based on hearsay,” he said on Saturday in response to remarks made by Nurul.
“For her to gain a clearer understanding of the NCR land issues including the NCR land surveys in Sarawak, it is essential to consult the Sarawak Land and Survey Department.
“They are the authority responsible for managing and administering land matters, including NCR land and the surveying works.
“I believe the department has records and data to provide her the accurate information not just on the NCR land surveying, but also on all land matters in Sarawak.”
Willie, who is also a Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council member, said instead of making such statements, Nurul should help secure more grants from the federal government for the NCR land survey initiative in Sarawak.
He said NCR land surveys in Sarawak require substantial funding.
Although the Sarawak Land and Survey Department has received some allocations from the federal government to address this need, they need more funding to carry out surveying and titling of NCR lands, he explained.
“She needs to understand that Sarawak is a large state with extensive areas of NCR land that has yet to be surveyed and titled.
“Due to the extensive area, conducting surveys on the NCR land in Sarawak requires significant financial resources.
“If she is concerned about the issuance of titles to the NCR land owners in Sarawak, she should help secure more grants for the Sarawak Land and Survey Department to carry out the survey works,” he said.
On Friday, Nurul called for the expediting of land surveys and ownership approvals for native customary land in Sarawak, and a halt to the issuance of new licences on disputed land.
She said for communities such as the Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, and Penan, land was more than just a place to live.
“It is their source of livelihood, a place for worship, where they celebrate their customs and raise their families.
“Most importantly, it is part of their soul and identity.
“I urge that the process of surveying and granting ownership of native customary land be expedited, and that no new licences be issued on land still under dispute,” she said in a statement published on freemalaysiatoday.com.
Citing veteran advocates like Harrison Ngau and the late Bill Kayong, she said their unwavering spirit must live on.
“This spirit shines through their struggle – never afraid despite pressure, never silent even when sidelined.
“Their resilience reminds me that this is a fight worth continuing, to defend the native customary rights that form part of Sarawak’s soul and history,” she said.
Although native customary rights are recognised under federal law and the Sarawak Land Code, Nurul said only a fraction of such land had been formally surveyed and allowed legal ownership.
“Many remain unresolved. As a result, the majority of indigenous communities are vulnerable to encroachment, forced eviction and exploitation,” she claimed.
