Land dispute settled amicably
Posted on February 9, 2012, Thursday
KUCHING: Villagers from Rumah Unggi Klauh, Tinting Kendawang, in Sri Aman are relieved to have their land dispute settled amicably in the High Court yesterday.
The defendants agreed to pay RM176,000 in compensation to the villagers in the land suit filed by Unggi Gumeh, 58, Bundan Lansam, 68, and Jambi Suyong, 55, on behalf of themselves and another 22 proprietors.
The plaintiffs were represented by lawyers Simon Siah, Desmond Kho and See Chee How.
The 25 plaintiffs had named Wawasan Merdeka Sdn Bhd, director of Forests, Sarawak, the state government and Pelita Holdings Sdn Bhd as the first, second, third and fourth defendants respectively.
They claimed that the first defendant, a timber company, had encroached into their native customary right (NCR) land, as stated in their statement of claim filed on Feb 3, 2009.
They said the land had been cultivated with crops, and the government had recognised the existence of the said NCR land by giving them agricultural subsidies and amenities all these years.
The plaintiffs further claimed they had inherited their rights, interests and title over the said NCR land by virtue and under the principle of common law.
The villagers claimed damages, exemplary damages, aggravated damages, interest, costs and other relief.
