SARAWAK cannot hope for more financial assistance from the federal government to fund development in the state, said Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira Sambang.
Speaking during the debate on the state 2020 Budget, Gira applauded the key initiatives implemented by the state government to accelerate development in rural areas despite the constraint in resources.
He also questioned the federal 2020 Budget having no allocation for surveys on native customary rights (NCR) land.
“I am wondering why the PH government is reluctant to survey NCR land,” he said, adding that Krian assemblyman Ali Biju had alleged the perimeter survey under Section 6 of the Sarawak Land Code was the government’s plan to take NCR land.
“So, I challenge him to prove his statement or deny if he was misquoted.”
He said that any land without title or legal document to prove their ownership will be claimed as state land. “Therefore, it is important that NCR be perimeter-surveyed to have force of law.”
“The GPS government has always recognised the rights of the natives over their land. In this respect, the state government has embarked on the NCR New Initiative Survey Programme and amended the Sarawak Land Code to recognise the usufructuary right over native territorial domain (NTD).”
He highlighted that under the programme, a total of 52,000 hectares of NCR lands throughout the state will be perimeter-surveyed and another 15,000 hectares will be surveyed as individual lot.
He lauded the RM40 million allocation under the state Budget 2020 for the purpose of these surveys on native customary lands (NCL).
Meanwhile, the assemblyman requested for allocations to upgrade Stapang Water Treatment Plant and Selangau Water Treatment Plant.
He also suggested for a collection, processing and packaging centre (CPPC) in Selangau to market local produce.
