Semawi Paong
MIRI: The Federal Court in Kuching is the centre of attraction especially among the people of Dayak origin today for the hearing of appeals to the state government to extend the native customary rights (NCR) over land and recognise the ‘pemakai menoa’ (territorial domain) and ‘pulau galau’ (forest reserves).
Leading the crowd will be Ulu Machan NCR Land Case committee chairman Semawi Paong from Miri who viewed the matter seriously and is determined to fight for the rights of the Dayaks, in particular, the Ibans.
Semawi, who originated came from Ulu Machan in Kanowit and works in Miri, vowed to fight for the rights of his people in the village and the NCR of pemakai menoa and pulau galau.
Scheduled to start at 9am, the case is set to be a landmark.
During the hearing of appeals, the Federal Court will hear legal arguments, among them, on whether the pre-existing rights under the native laws and customs which the common law respects go beyond felled and cultivated lands by natives, and include or extend the rights to land in and over trees, fruit trees, hunting grounds, fishing grounds, grazing grounds and areas for the gathering of food and forest produce in uncultivated areas within their broader territorial domain or communal areas (pemakai menoa).
Arguments will also be heard on whether it is necessary for these pre-existing native customs to be expressly given the force of law by the legislative or executive arms of the government of Sarawak or their predecessors before such customs are given legal recognition.
Semawi hoped the Dayaks would come in full force for the hearing today.
He said it was critical towards the native struggles or claims in respect of Dayak customary rights on pemakai menoa and pulau galau.
In this context, Semawi appealed to all Dayak leaders, regardless of their political ideologies, to support by turning up at the court to seek the recognition of pemakai menoa and pulau galau.
“Support from Dayak leaders is very much needed to ensure victory for the protection and benefit of Dayaks.
“This is the time our Dayak leaders show up in times of need to help their own community,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.