By OSMAN RAZALI
BETONG: A total of 470 Native Customary Rights (NCR) land owners in Betong Division received the land titles under Section 18 of the Land Code of Sarawak.
The land titles were presented by the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at the “Leaders with the Community and Land Grant Delivery” ceremony held at the Spaoh Community Hall here, today.
Those receiving the titles were owners of the 686 lots throughout the Betong Division in such areas as Tanjung Sebekut (327 lots with 252 owners), Ulu Paku area (280 lots with 150 owners) and Salcra-Saratok Block development area (79 lots with 68 owners).
Abang Johari stressed that the state government did not seize the land.
“Many of us heard the allegations from the opposition that the state government is taking the native lands,” he said.
“The accusation is wrong! In accordance with Section 6 of the Land Code, it’s not that the government wants to seize the land but we are doing our job to make sure it is measured. That is the rights of the people,” he added.
The ceremony also witnessed Abang Johari handing over Temporary Occupation Licences (TOL) to 15 recipients under Kampung Spaoh Resettlement Scheme (SPK).
Among those present were Deputy Chief Minister cum Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu and his wife Tan Sri Empiang Jabu.
