Meluan rep Duat wants state assembly sitting to be extended to 14 days

KUCHING, Nov 28 2025: Meluan state legislative member (SLM) Rolland Duat has suggested that the sitting period of State Legislative Assembly be extended to 14 days from the present eight days.

Rolland Duat: There are many more proposals that I would like to mention and comments that I would like to make in the house.  

He said the extension will allow a longer period of time for SLMs to debate.

“It will also allow  for more oral questions to be answered on rural areas such as Meluan, there are many issues that we would like to raise in addition to inserting proposals and policy comments,” he said during the debate on the 2026 State Budget at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (SLA).

He said there are many more proposals that he would like to mention and comments that he would like to make in the house.

“However, I must comply with the time constraints that have been set,” Duat said.

He also requested that a special programme be established, namely the supply of quality oil palm seeds to smallholders, especially in Meluan.

He said this will at least reduce the cost burden for replanting or grafting smallholders, noting that oil palm has been proven to be able to provide good returns to smallholders.

“I also want to see Meluan developed as Sarawak Food's Valley,” he said, adding that in every session of SLA,  he had consistently requested that a Collection Processing and Packaging Centre (CPPC), Agropark, Precision Farming Park be built for Meluan.

He said he does not want to see Meluan be left out of the important plans of the ministry of  food industries, commodities and regional development in the agricultural sector.

 

157 cases settled by the Sarawak Bumiputera Court, 146 others yet to be resolved, says Jamit

 

KUCHING, Nov 28 2025: A total of 157 court cases involving land compensation totaling RM 12.5 million have been settled by the Sarawak Bumiputera Court since 2008 until October this year, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Native Laws and Customs) Jefferson Jamit told the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (SLA) today.

Jefferson Jamit: The delay in resolving land compensation cases is also influenced by the shortage of magistrates, especially in the District Bumiputera Court. 

However, he said the backlog of land compensation cases that have not yet been resolved is 146 cases, involving a total compensation value estimated at RM6.7 million.

“This number includes cases that are still in the process of document review, assessment, verification of land ownership information and administrative matters between relevant agencies before they can be fully resolved,” he told Bukit Semuja State Legislative Member (SLM) John Ilus during Question and Answer session.

Jamit said the issues that cause land compensation cases to be backlogged are that the period to resolve a court case, especially a land compensation case, usually takes a long time, which is at least three months if it goes through a full trial process.

“The delay in resolving land compensation cases is also influenced by the shortage of magistrates, especially in the District Bumiputera Court.

“This constraint causes the trial schedule to be limited and the process of setting a hearing date takes longer,” he added.

He said the high number of cases compared to the available magistrate capacity contributes to delays and an increase in cases that have not yet been resolved.

“In addition, the trial period is also prolonged when lawyers representing the claimant or defendant frequently request adjournment of cases in court, especially at the District Bumiputera Court level and higher levels.

“These factors have contributed to delays and the increasing number of land compensation cases still pending resolution,” he said.

 

Nine carbon study permits, covering a forest area of 231,983ha, approved by state government

KUCHING, Nov 28 2025: The state government has approved  nine carbon study permits covering a forest area of 231,983 hectares  under the Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Emission) Ordinance, 2023 and the Forests (Forest Carbon Activity) Rules, 2022.

Len Talif Salleh: Gazetted NCR landowners can apply for a forest carbon study permit and a forest carbon license will be issued if they meet the requirements of the ordinance and regulations. 

Deputy Minister of  Environment Ministry of Natural Resources Urban Development Len Talif Salleh said another seven new applications for permits have been received and are in the process of consideration.

“A forest carbon license covering an area of 25,675 hectares has been issued and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) and Mubadala Energy, Abu Dhabi relating to Nature-based Solution (NbS) and potential blue carbon was signed on November 6, 2024,” he said during Question and Answer session at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (SLA) today.

He said to provide opportunities and benefits to rural communities, gazetted NCR landowners can apply for a forest carbon study permit and a forest carbon license will be issued if they meet the requirements of the ordinance and regulations.

Replying to Tamin state legislative member (SLM) Christopher Gira Sambang, Len said the carbon credit initiative through the Forest Carbon Activity provides Sarawak with an opportunity to diversify its sources of income through the international carbon market.

“In addition, this initiative will strengthen Sarawak's commitment to green and sustainable development,” he said.

On the training and capacity building programs are provided by the project developer for the community in carbon project management and reforestation, Len said the project developer will provide various training and capacity building programs for the community to support the management of carbon projects and reforestation.

“These include training in reforestation techniques, sapling nursery management, monitoring and patrolling of project areas, sustainable management of forest resources, and biomass inventory training.

“This programme also enables the community to improve their skills, knowledge and practical experience in carbon project management, thus strengthening their involvement in environmental conservation efforts,” he said.

He also said the state has enacted the Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Emission) Ordinance, 2023 to strengthen the implementation of this initiative, in addition to the Forests (Forest Carbon Activity) Rules, 2022.

He added the  regulation stipulates that all carbon projects must comply with recognized International Carbon Standards, including, Verra and Gold Standard to ensure the integrity, transparency and effectiveness of their implementation.

Two Penan men pleaded not guilty to charges of trespassing within Telang Usan protected forest

MIRI, Nov 28 2025: Two Penan men from Long Tepen, Semali Sait,57, and Christopher Jau, 52,  have pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court to charges relating to alleged trespassing within the Telang Usan Protected Forest (TUPF).

Lawyer Roland Engan with the Long Tepen community in front of court in Miri 

The charges, brought under Section 26 of the Forest Ordinance 2015 (Cap. 71), were read before Judge Afidah Abdul Rahman.

In addition, Christopher faces a separate charge under Section 103(1) of the same ordinance, alleging obstruction of public officers.

Both accused were represented by lawyer Roland Engan, who is also PKR vice president.

During the proceedings on November 26, 2025, the defendants denied the allegations, stating that at the time of the incident they were merely standing by the roadside seeking internet coverage.

“We were just talking and resting by the roadside when the officers approached us. I did not engage in any of the actions alleged,” Christopher said, rejecting the claim that he obstructed any public officer.

Both men expressed confidence that the accusations were baseless and voiced hope for a fair judicial process.

The court fixed pre-trial case management for March 4, 2026, with the trial scheduled for December 14-16, 2026.

Semali and Christopher were originally detained by Miri forest officers on June 28 while standing by the roadside at the location where the alleged offences were said to have taken place.

More than 30 Penan community representatives travelled to Miri to accompany and support the two men during the hearing.