MIRI: “Converting your (native) land to mixed zone is not a good idea. Please retain your land and develop it to boost your income,” this was the advice Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had for landowners.
He added that selling the land once they get the title is something that should be avoided.
“Land is your precious asset … please retain it,” he reiterated during the Land Code (Amendment) Ordinance 2018 forum launch here yesterday.
Nearly 500 people, comprising mainly community leaders from the northern region (Bintulu, Miri, Limbang and Lawas) attended the event, which runs for two days.
The forum aims to enlighten community leaders and native landowners on matters pertaining to their native customary rights (NCR), including Section 6 and Section 18 under the Land Code.
“Once you convert the land to mixed zone, your status will be diluted,” Abang Johari said, adding that land conversions are among the biggest challenges faced by the state government.
“Landowners (once they acquire their land titles) submit their applications to convert their land to mixed zone, and most of the time, we have to reject, because it’s not a good idea … keep your land once you get the title and develop it.”
He also reminded landowners not to fall victim to any misleading information about Section 6 and Section 18 of the Land Code.
Abang Johari also revealed that the state government plans to elevate the Sarawak Native Court to be on par with the Syariah and Civil courts.
“We must have a strong Native Court that not only deals with NCR matters but also Sarawak’s native issues,” he said, adding that New Zealand is the best country that Sarawak can emulate in this matter.
