Ba Kelalan rep urges ex-gratia for villagers affected by SSLR project, NCR land ruling
MIRI (July 15): Ba Kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian has called for ex-gratia payments to villagers whose traditional lands have been classified as state land due to restrictive interpretations of Native Customary Rights (NCR).
He raised the issue following concerns from rural communities affected by the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road (SSLR) project, which he visited recently.
Baru said many compensation claims were rejected by the Land and Survey Department due to conflicts between state regulations and the native 'adat' (customary) definition of NCR land.
During a visit to Long Sukang and Long Semadoh today, Baru highlighted the impact of the Federal Court's ruling in the 'TR Sandah' case.
The decision limited NCR recognition to land cultivated before Jan 1, 1958.
'This is a very restrictive definition of the law which I understand as a legal practitioner, but illogical to the simple minded native people in the interior of Sarawak whose 'adat' on land differs significantly from the present recent decision of the court,' he said.
He noted that some lots, though surrounded by recognised NCR land, are now classified as state land simply because they were not cultivated before 1958.
'This is causing significant distress among the affected communities.
'I therefore urge the authorities to consider ex-gratia payments for these state lands as a compassionate gesture to acknowledge the 'adat' claims although lacking formal legal recognition,' he said.
Baru said such payments would reflect the government's commitment to supporting rural communities facing potential loss of their ancestral land.
Nevertheless, he also encouraged villagers to view the SSLR project as an opportunity for economic growth.
He assured them of his support in addressing any issues with contractors or authorities. Baru Bian ncr land SSLR project
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