NCR land gathering at Kampung Tekuyong, Pantu: All NGOs and interested individuals are invited

PANTU, November 28, 2017 - Tuai Rumah  Masa Anak Nangkai is inviting community leaders, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), political parties, agencies and indigenous communities especially the Dayaks to attend a gathering at Kampung Tekuyong, Pantu on December 3, 2017, beginning from 9.00am.

The gathering is to discuss further actions after the decisions of the Federal Court in customary land cases involving Tuai Rumah Sandah,  Machan (Kanowit), Tuai Rumah Nyutan (Kampung Lebor) and Tuai Rumah Masa Anak Nangkai (Pantu).

The native landowners won all these cases in the High Court and Court of Appeal, but lost in the Federal Court.

The Federal Court ruled that NCR lands which has been converted to land leases cannot be restored to the landowners, but are entitled to compensation.

The landowners said they did not want compensation, but wanted their lands back.

In all these cases, the NCR lands were included in provisional leases issued to plantation companies during the administration of Tun Taib Mahmud as chief minister.

"We urge indigenous communities to come out together and present in the discussion or move for further action," TR Masa said in  statement today.

According to Jengga Jelli, a representative from Kampung Lebur said:"We will not take those compensation and we will not surrender our NCR land because it is the heritage from our ancestors.

"If the Tabung Haji oil palm company is sincere enough, they should come to consult with us (villagers) rather than through the middle person.

"We will not surrender our land. We only allow Tabung Haji to rent our land but everything should be done in atransparent and proper manner," he said.

Veteran lawyers Datuk Seri Daniel Tajem Miri,  Dominique Ng Kim Ho, SADIA Secretary General Nicholas Mujah Ason, representatives from DayakNation Institute Rapelson Richard Hamit and Society for Rights of Indigenous People of Sarawak (SCRIPS) Micheal Jok will attend the gathering.

Jengga also urges Dayak Nation Insitute (DANI), Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (SADIA), Persatuan Dayak Sarawak (PEDAS), Terabai Menoa, Sarawak Dayak Graduate Association (SDGA), Dayak National Congress (DNC), Gerakan Anak Sarawak (GASAK), Jaringan Orang Asal Semalaysia (JOAS), Tanah Hak Adat Sarawak (TAHABAS), Dayak Rights Action Force (DRAF), Society for Rights of Indigenous People of Sarawak (SCRIPS), SAVE RIVERS, NTFP  and others Dayak NGO representatives to attend.

For any inquiries about  the further matter and location do not hesitate to  contact Rapelson Richard Hamit 0111-9882210