KUCHING: Assistant Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datu Len Talif Salleh yesterday ticked off Baru Bian (PKR-Ba Kelalan) for his statement that ‘NCR land recognition is more important than perimeter survey’.
He described the statement as not adhering to the law already passed in the august House.
He also said such statement should not be uttered by someone who is a lawyer, a lawmaker and august House member as it could create havoc on the ground.
“You don’t have to be a lawyer to be mindful of the fact that rule of law must prevail, meaning if we do not follow the law passed in this august House, you can see what chaos can happen on the ground.
“This matter needs to be resolved and a more detailed reply will be issued in a few days’ time,” he said.
Len Talif said this when replying to Datuk Mong Dagang (PRS-Bukit Begunan) who has asked about native customary rights (NCR) land perimeter survey in the constituency.
Baru, who is also Works Minister and PKR Sarawak chairman, was quoted as saying the recognition of NCR land by the Sarawak government is a bigger issue than allocation of federal funds for the perimeter survey of the land.
He said this in response to criticism of the absence of specific allocations in the federal budget to conduct perimeter surveys for NCR land.
“The issue of the surveying of NCR land is not as important to the people as the recognition of their native customary rights to their land.
“This is because NCR exists whether it is surveyed or not – its existence does not arise from a survey,” he had said.