Native Customary Rights Land Ordinance in the making

By Simon Peter

KUCHING,January 7, 2017 - Corporate lawyer Elsiy Tinggang said she and a group of experts are drafting the Native Customary Rights Land Ordinance with the objectives to protect native customary rights land, pemakai menoa and pulau galau and customary laws.

 Elsiy Tinggang presenting a paper on Way Forward at the NCR Land Forum

"It is also to facilitate occupation of land," she said when presenting a paper on Way Forward at the NCR Land Forum here today.

She said other objectives of the NCRLO are for the development of NCR land, including PM and PG, and the utilisation of those land for other purposes.

She said the group will consult the stakeholders on the proposed NCRLO before presenting it to the state minister by the end of this year.

Elsiy said it is desirable to recognise that land is of special significance to the natives of Sarawak and to promote the retention of  NCR land to protect, facilitate occupation, development and   utilisation for the benefits of the community.

"The key to success of NCRLO is whether it is acceptable by the community and buy in from the minister or ministers  and is bipartisan, timely presentation and approval from the state government," she said.

About 200 Dayaks and non-Dayaks attended the forum, organised by the Dayak Intellectual Group.