LUBOK ANTU: The Sarawak Government will continue to strengthen efforts to expedite the issuance of land titles to eligible landowners, particularly those within the Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (SALCRA) development areas, to ensure land ownership is legally recognised.
Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment, Datuk Len Talif Salleh, said a systematic, transparent and well-organised land administration system remains a government priority as land is not only an economic asset but also a source of livelihood, family heritage and community identity that must be safeguarded.
He said the processes of land identification, surveying, verification and registration are carried out meticulously not to delay matters, but to ensure that every land title issued accurately reflects ownership, location, size and boundaries.
“The Sarawak Government remains committed to ensuring that legitimate Native Customary Rights (NCR) land claims are identified, surveyed, documented and registered in accordance with the provisions of the Sarawak Land Code.”
Le Talif said this while officiating at the Land Title Presentation Ceremony for the SALCRA Sri Aman Regional Development Area, held in conjunction with SALCRA’s 50th Anniversary celebration at SALCRA Merindun Palm Oil Mill 2 here on Thursday (July 30).
He noted that the implementation of the Native Customary Rights (NCR) Perimeter Survey Programme under Section 6 of the Sarawak Land Code is among the government’s key initiatives before individual lot surveys are carried out, enabling land titles under Section 18 to be issued to eligible landowners.
According to him, the approach ensures land ownership is properly documented while preventing overlapping claims, boundary disputes and encroachment in the future.
He added that both the federal government and the Sarawak government have allocated funding for perimeter and individual lot surveys, allowing eligible landowners to receive their land titles without having to bear surveying costs.
He said land titles issued under Section 18 of the Sarawak Land Code are granted without premium payments, are exempt from land tax and provide registered owners with perpetual ownership, subject to the terms of the title and applicable laws.
On a related matter, Len Talif revealed that SALCRA has developed approximately 55,000 hectares of land, comprising 31,390 lots involving more than 21,800 participants. Of these, about 2,743 lots, or nine per cent, are still undergoing cadastral surveys before land titles can be issued.
He said the number is expected to increase following SALCRA’s expansion into new development areas in the Sarikei and Sibu divisions, which require complete surveying and documentation before ownership registration can be finalised.
He stressed that close cooperation between the Sarawak Land and Survey Department and SALCRA must continue to be strengthened, including through the recognition of SALCRA’s survey teams to help accelerate cadastral survey work in accordance with established technical standards.
“The issuance of the remaining land titles in SALCRA development areas is an ongoing government effort until all eligible participants receive legal recognition of their ownership, thereby enhancing public confidence in the state’s land development concept.”
He also urged landowners to give their full cooperation throughout the surveying, claim verification and boundary determination processes, while ensuring accurate information on land ownership history, heirs and boundaries is provided.
At the same time, Len Talif reminded recipients to safeguard their land titles and not to hastily sell or transfer ownership for short-term financial gain, stressing that land is a valuable asset capable of securing the well-being of families and benefitting future generations.
He further advised heirs to promptly manage inheritance matters following the death of a landowner to avoid disputes and complications in updating ownership records.
Len Talif also expressed his appreciation to the Sarawak Land and Survey Department, SALCRA, divisional and district administrations, community leaders and all landowners for their cooperation. He also congratulated SALCRA on its 50th anniversary.
Also present were Deputy Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment, Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh; Engkilili assemblyman, Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa; and Lubok Antu MP, Roy Angau Gingkoi.
