SPAOH: The Sarawak Government is exploring the potential development of undeveloped Native Customary Rights (NCR) land in Ulu Paku, Spaoh and Ulu Rimbas, Debak, to generate new income opportunities for local communities.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said development must be carried out in a planned manner while safeguarding the rights and interests of landowners.
“There is still a lot of land in the Ulu Paku and Ulu Rimbas areas that has not been developed. Therefore, I, along with Betong MP Datuk Dr Richard Rapu, are always trying to think of ways to ensure that this land can generate income,” he said at the NCR Land Development Dialogue for the Ulu Paku and Ulu Rimbas areas at the Spaoh Community Hall here on Tuesday (Aug. 11).
Uggah, who is also the Bukit Saban assemblyman, said agriculture, including oil palm cultivation in suitable areas, could be considered to optimise the use of the land.
He stressed that land surveying and the issuance of legal titles must also be prioritised to provide landowners with greater certainty over their rights.
“The cooperation of all parties is crucial so that customary land is not lost, invaded or misused without permission.”
Uggah said issues involving encroachment, land ownership disputes, unauthorised oil palm cultivation, land distribution and compensation must be resolved through the proper channels.
He also proposed the use of improved GPS technology in land surveying to ensure greater accuracy and minimise potential disputes.
He said collaboration between government agencies and elected representatives was essential to help communities understand land-related procedures and address issues at the grassroots level.
“Land is an important asset to the community. Therefore, the community needs to know their rights and ensure that all matters related to land are carried out through legal channels,” he added.
The dialogue, jointly organised by the Ministry for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (M-FICORD) and the Betong Division Agriculture Department, also covered NCR land development procedures, surveying and agricultural project development.
Briefings included the NCR Land Development Application Procedure, NCR land measurement under Sections 6 and 18 of the Sarawak Land Code, Native Territorial Domain (NTD), and the Sarawak Forest Department’s role in agricultural projects and applications for permits or logging licences in NCR areas.
