SIBU: The 2018 amendment to the State Land Code had given the force of law to the Native Territorial Domain (NTD).
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg reiterated this when he officiated at a Central Zone seminar on Land Code (Amendment) 2018 at Kingwood Hotel yesterday.
According to him, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) was the saviour of NTD which comprises ‘Pemakai Menua’ and ‘Pulau Galau’.
He stressed that although a recent appeal case involving Tuai Rumah Sandah Tabau had failed, this was purely academic and not relevant as the state government had amended the State Land Code to give the force of law to NTD.
“It is very important so that natives can own and use their land. The path to the amendment was very trying and challenging. But it was successfully done with a lot of consultation with community leaders, legal experts, experts on Dayak traditions, and others,” he said.
The amendment was the wish of the late chief minister Pehin Seri Adenan Satem before he died.
“He instructed Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah to settle native customary rights (NCR) land issues properly and carefully for the benefit of the owners.
“Although the great majority had appreciated the move, there have been some who questioned the motive of the government.
“Worst still they instigated the land owners to oppose programmes like the Section 6 survey to define the boundaries between state and NCR land,” he said.
More than 1,300 participants comprising community leaders, representatives of non-governmental organisations and civil servants from Sibu, Mukah, Sarikei and Kapit divisions attended the two-day forum.
