THE state government will consider upgrading resettlement areas, or genturung, into fully recognised villages, subject to legal and regulatory compliance.
Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Law and Native Customs), Datuk Jefferson Jamit Unyat, said such recognition would be granted as long as it does not contravene existing laws, particularly concerning land ownership status and the official requirements for appointing a ketua kaum (community leader).
He said this during the question-and-answer session at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today.
Jefferson was responding to a question from Wilson Nabong Ijang (GPS-Pelagus) regarding the state’s intention to confirm the status of genturung as being on par with a village (kampung) and a housing estate (taman perumahan).
On another note, Jefferson added that 14 genturung areas in Kapit have already been recognised.
“The genturung are Genturung Iban Bersatu, Nanga Sebaning, Genturung JKKK Lepong Sungai Sibau, Genturung Lepung Panjai, Genturung Pelajau Jaya, Bukit Goram, Genturung Sekaban, Jalan Puan Sri Tiong, Genturung Selepong 3 (Serogan), Genturung Sesawa Atas, Genturung Sesawa, Bukit Goram, Genturung Sungai Ara, Genturung Tatai Panglima, Genturung Sawang A, Genturung Sawang B, Genturung Ulu Trusa, and Genturung Terusa,” he added.
