Slow, incomplete NCR land surveys hinder Bidayuh villagers from unlocking commercial potential

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, May 15: Slow, incomprehensive and delayed surveying of Native Customary Rights (NCR) land in several Bidayuh areas in Bau, Padawan and Serian is preventing villagers from developing their land commercially due to the absence of land titles, said Serembu assemblyman Dato Miro Simuh.

Debating the Motion of Thanks on the Yang di-Pertua Negeri’s (TYT) Address at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly Sitting today, Miro said that although the Sarawak government has introduced various initiatives to expedite NCR land surveys, progress on the ground remains unsatisfactory in many rural communities.

He said the surveying process by the Land and Survey Department is still perceived as too slow and not comprehensive, despite long-standing applications and identified village areas that have already undergone preliminary mapping.

“Many villagers have waited for years for their land surveys to be completed. In some cases, the land has already been identified and mapped, but the final surveying and issuance of titles take far too long, causing uncertainty and concern among landowners,” he told the august House.

Miro also questioned why the pace of official surveying appears significantly slower compared to initiatives carried out by the Bidayuh National Association (DBNA), which has undertaken boundary pegging and preliminary documentation in several villages.

He suggested that the Land and Survey Department should utilise existing DBNA documentation to expedite formal surveying, mapping and recognition of boundary demarcations between landowners.

“This delay has significant implications for the people. Without land titles or official recognition, villagers face difficulties in obtaining agricultural loans and are unable to develop their land commercially,” he said.

Miro stressed that NCR land is not merely an economic asset but represents inherited heritage, community identity, and cultural continuity for many rural residents.

“The people are not asking for new rights. They only want long-established inherited rights to be formally recognised in a manner that is swift, fair and transparent,” he added. — DayakDaily

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