He said that before 1958, only Temuda land (land cleared from virgin jungle, farmed and occupied by the natives) was recognised and accepted by the courts and the native communities as NCR land.
The Ibans' communal law system or "Tusun Tunggu" passed by the Iban leaders in 1951 also stated precisely what constituted NCR land, he said at a two-day NCR land seminar for about 400 community leaders and civil servants from here, Sarikei, Kapit and Mukah Divisions.
As far as the government was concerned, its definition of NCR land was guided by the law in force before January 1, 1958, and NCR land could not be created after 1958, except with a permit issued by the Superintendent of the Land and Survey department, he said.
He said some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and politicians had created confusion over the definition of NCR land to frustrate or delay what would have been meaningful development programmes for their owners.
He said the state government was very committed to developing such land on joint venture basis, especially with private investors, mainly to eradicate rural poverty.
Any dispute regarding such land should best be resolved through the civil or native courts instead of the owners resorting to demonstrations, blockades or intimidation, he added. - Bernama
Published: Monday October 12, 2009 MYT 4:00:00 PM
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