Len Talif: 30 areas in Opar approved for NCR land perimeter surveys, over 1,400 titles issued

KUCHING (May 22): A total of 30 areas within the Opar constituency have been approved for perimeter surveys of Native Customary Rights (NCR) land as of April 30 this year, said Sarawak Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment, Datuk Len Talif Salleh.

Of the 30 areas, 26 have been surveyed, with 18 gazetted as Native Communal Reserves (Agriculture) while several other areas are still undergoing the survey process, including one facing objections, he said.

“In the second phase, nine areas have been approved for individual lot surveys, with three areas completed and five others still in progress,” said Len Talif at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today, in response to a question from Opar assemblyman Billy Sujang.

He also reported that 1,411 land titles have been issued under Section 18 of the Sarawak Land Code.

Regarding traditional village land surveys, Len Talif said 10 villages have been approved. Of these, two villages have been fully surveyed, with 415 land titles issued for one of them.

“Surveys for the remaining eight villages will commence soon, subject to the readiness of the land claimants on the ground,” he added.

During a supplementary question session, Len Talif emphasised that the effectiveness of the survey process depends heavily on cooperation from the applicants.

“Land claimants must be prepared for their land to be surveyed by identifying and marking boundaries, and by submitting a rough sketch plan along with a list of claimants’ names,” he explained.

He noted that areas affected by disputes or the absence of claimant presence in the field have experienced delays in the survey process.

“Let us work together to resolve any disputes and disagreements among claimants to ensure the successful surveying of individual lots and the timely issuance of land titles,” he said.

On the survey of ‘pemakai menoa’ and ‘pulau galau’ (native territorial domain), Len Talif said that Sarawak Bumiputera communities may submit their claims by completing the NTD A form, which is available at the Land and Survey Department counters or can be downloaded from the department’s website.