PM not told the truth about NCR
Joseph TawiePublished: Jun 19, 2009 11:17 AM | Updated: Jun 19, 2009 1:18 PM
The Sarawak government has been accused of deliberately misinforming the prime minister on the row over native customary rights (NCR) in the state.
The Sarawak government has been accused of deliberately misinforming the prime minister on the row over native customary rights (NCR) in the state.
“I am sure the prime minister has been ill-informed on the true situation of NCR land issues,” said Sarawak National Party’s Stanley Jugol in responding to a statement made by Najib Abdul Razak on the issue.
Najib, who was on a two-day visit to Sarawak, had assured the Ibans in Lubok Antu that the government would not snatch their land away.
“We have no intention of grabbing anybody’s land. The Ibans should not worry. The BN government will not take away your property,” he had told a huge gathering in Nanga San, Lubok Antu, about 250km from state capital Kuching.
“We want to ensure the future of the Ibans and we will solve the land problem that I know you are concerned about. You can have confidence on the BN government.”
However, Stanley pointed out that there are currently hundreds of disputes over NCR land before the courts.
“What will happen to the NCR land that has been taken away from the natives? The proof of this is the fact that there are more than 200 cases of NCR land filed by the natives against the government and companies. These cases are pending hearing.”
“I am sure the state government leaders are not telling the truth when they briefed the prime minister,” he said.
Native customary rights to land in Sarawak is a system of land tenure based on ‘adat’ (native customary laws), allowing the natives the right to cultivate the land and to benefit from the produce of the jungle, including hunting and fishing.
Stringent opposition to state’s NCR model
Under a government scheme, more than one million hectares of land - the bulk of which is NCR land - have been leased to companies for 60 years for the planting of oil palm.
Najib said that from his discussions with Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, he was convinced that the state’s NCR model would bring development to the Dayaks, particularly the Ibans.
But what Najib was not told was that there has been stringent opposition from the natives to the NCR land development promoted by the state government.
Under that scheme, only 30 percent of the equity is given to landowners, while state government-linked company Pelita Holdings has 10 percent, and the lion share, 60 percent, goes to investors.
Moreover, although the landowners hold 30 percent, they are in the dark about the management of the plantations as they are not included in the decision-making of the company.
“The Ibans are against this concept,” said Stanley.
“I am sure the prime minister has been ill-informed on the true situation of NCR land issues,” said Sarawak National Party’s Stanley Jugol in responding to a statement made by Najib Abdul Razak on the issue.
Najib, who was on a two-day visit to Sarawak, had assured the Ibans in Lubok Antu that the government would not snatch their land away.
“We have no intention of grabbing anybody’s land. The Ibans should not worry. The BN government will not take away your property,” he had told a huge gathering in Nanga San, Lubok Antu, about 250km from state capital Kuching. “We want to ensure the future of the Ibans and we will solve the land problem that I know you are concerned about. You can have confidence on the BN government.”
However, Stanley pointed out that there are currently hundreds of disputes over NCR land before the courts.
“What will happen to the NCR land that has been taken away from the natives? The proof of this is the fact that there are more than 200 cases of NCR land filed by the natives against the government and companies. These cases are pending hearing.”
“I am sure the state government leaders are not telling the truth when they briefed the prime minister,” he said. Native customary rights to land in Sarawak is a system of land tenure based on ‘adat’ (native customary laws), allowing the natives the right to cultivate the land and to benefit from the produce of the jungle, including hunting and fishing.
Stringent opposition to state’s NCR model
Under a government scheme, more than one million hectares of land - the bulk of which is NCR land - have been leased to companies for 60 years for the planting of oil palm.
Najib said that from his discussions with Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, he was convinced that the state’s NCR model would bring development to the Dayaks, particularly the Ibans. But what Najib was not told was that there has been stringent opposition from the natives to the NCR land development promoted by the state government.
Under that scheme, only 30 percent of the equity is given to landowners, while state government-linked company Pelita Holdings has 10 percent, and the lion share, 60 percent, goes to investors.
Moreover, although the landowners hold 30 percent, they are in the dark about the management of the plantations as they are not included in the decision-making of the company. “The Ibans are against this concept,” said Stanley.
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