MORE than 50 years after the establishment of the Resettlement Scheme (SPS) under the Rajang Security Command (RASCOM), the issue of land ownership in three settlements in the Ngemah state constituency still requires urgent attention from the Sarawak government.
Ngemah assemblyman Anyi Jana said the three SPS established in 1972 are SPS Nanga Jagau, SPS Nanga Ngungun and SPS Nanga Tada.
He said the scheme was introduced during the communist threat era with the aim of relocating residents to safer areas and enabling orderly security control.
“However, after more than five decades, the residents in these three settlements continue to face issues regarding the land status of their longhouse sites, which are still registered as state land.
“This situation has raised concerns among the local community, who want to ensure their ownership rights are guaranteed,” he said during when debating the Supply (2026) Bill, 2025 debate at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on Thursday (Nov 27).
Anyi added that more than 60 longhouses, with a population exceeding 6,000 in the three schemes, hope that the Sarawak government can issue land titles for their respective longhouse sites.
He said land ownership is not only important to guarantee the security of their homes but also forms the basis for long-term development, including opportunities to improve the socio-economic status in the area.
In addition, he requested that the Nanga Ngungun Health Clinic, which currently operates without a medical officer, be upgraded, given its strategic location covering a densely populated area.
“The residents are also looking forward to the implementation of the Nanga Ngungun Multipurpose Hall project, which was announced by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg during his working visit to the area in July 2021.
“They hope construction can start immediately to allow various community programs, meetings and social activities to be carried out more systematically.”
Anyi also noted the efforts in improving educational infrastructure in his constituency, praising the government and related agencies for the repair and upgrading of several schools.
These include SK Ulu Bawan (RM3 million), SK Nanga Pedai (RM6.25 million), and SK Nanga Tada (RM12 million). Construction of SK Rantau Dilang is expected next year.
However, he said that three schools – SK Nanga Jagau, SK Nanga Nirok and SK Nanga Balingiau – continue to face frequent flooding.
“These schools must be relocated to safer locations to prevent repeated financial losses and ensure that educational resources are fully optimised for the benefit of students.”
