THE Land and Survey Department has received 583 applications to conduct new initiative native customary rights (NCR) land perimeter survey as of October this year.
Special Functions Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem said from the total, 416 applications which involved land totaling 671,688 hectares had been approved for survey, whereas 167 applications were still being processed.
“The perimeter survey for 257 areas totalling 349,086 hectares has been implemented. From the number, 187 areas (239,292ha) have been gazetted as ‘Rizab Gunasama Bumiputera (Pertanian)’ under Section 6 of the State Land Code,” he said in his winding up speech yesterday.
Adenan said 121 areas had been presented to the community leaders from the communities involved while another 66 areas would be presented in the near future.
Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Kota Sentosa) interjected, asking Adenan whether the low number of applications received to conduct perimeter survey despite the so many villages in the state showed that the government’s initiative was not accepted by the community.
Adenan said the 583 applications received to conduct perimeter survey was just the beginning and it was long term project.
“This is not a one or two-year project. Maybe those who did not apply did not know about it or were being instigated.”
He said the government’s policy was very clear and that it would not force the villagers to survey their lands, which they could not blame the government later.
For those who applied for the survey to be conducted individually, Adenan said it would be implemented in the second round after the perimeter survey had been completed and the areas gazetted under Section 6 of the State Land Code.
“This is proven when we have implemented individual lot survey at Kampung Skuduk and Kampung Pisa in Kuching. A total of 544 individual land titles involving 330 lands owners have been issued.”
Adenan said the remaining 159 areas that had been approved for perimeter survey had yet to be completed.
“From the number, 56 per cent or 89 areas (203,006ha) are facing problems on the ground. This involves 68 areas where applicants insisted for a bigger piece instead from the ones approved.”
He said that another 16 areas were involved with border dispute whereas applicants in five other areas insisted for the land to be individually surveyed under Section 18 of the State Land Code.