OPAR assemblyman Billy Sujang called on for the relevant department to expedite the Native Customary Rights (NCR) land survey works for villages in his constituency.
He said out of the 58 villages in the Opar constituency only a few villages have received land titles, namely Kampung Sebiris and Kampung Jugan.
“Other villages have been surveyed but land titles have not yet been issued, including Kampung Judin, Kampung Stungkor, Kampung Temaga Melayu, Kampung Temaga Dayak, Kampung Stenggang, and Kampung Sebigo.
“Villages currently undergoing surveying include Kampung Jangkar, Kampung Rukam, Kampung Sedaing, Kampung Bokah, Kampung Pasir Hilir, and Kampung Sebigo Dayak.
“It is hoped that this surveying work can be expedited. I have raised this issue in the previous session and will continue to do so in the next State Legislative Assembly (DUN) session until it is resolved,” he said.
He said this when debating in support of the motion of appreciation to the Head of State in the august House on Friday (May 10).
He also said that for villages involved with SALCRA plantations, some land titles have been issued by Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (SALCRA), especially to SALCRA participants in villages such as Kampung Opar, Kampung Rumih, Kampung Stenggang, Kampung Stungkor Lama, Kampung Stungkor Baru, Kampung Raso 1, Kampung Raso 2, Kampung Bokah, Kampung Semapu, Kampung Judin, and Kampung Sebako.
“However, for Phase 1 of SALCRA Sebako, land titles have not yet been received even though the period has ended and replanting is underway. I have inquired about this in the previous DUN session but have not received response from SALCRA. This has caused frustration among local residents and shareholders.
“Land titles should be issued to landowners after three years of land cultivation. If land titles are not issued, the blame falls on the representatives.
“I believe this issue is not only happening in Opar constituency but also in other constituencies. If land is not surveyed, eventually village land will be owned by unknown individuals,” said Billy.
