KUCHING, Oct 24 2026: Think tank Dayak Native Initiative (DANI) has called on the state authorities to clarify whether the figure of 58,000 raised by Dayak Oil Palm Planters' Association (DOPPA) refers to the total number of independent oil palm smallholders in Sarawak or those specifically identified as facing difficulties complying with the European Union market following the implementation of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
"The government should also clarify the plantation areas, production volume and income potentially affected. Have any buyer or mill already issued rejection notices, imposed additional requirements or announced changes to their purchasing policies?" DANI asked in a statement, in response to a statement by DOPPA on the possibility that approximately 58,000 independent oil palm smallholders in Sarawak could lose access to international markets due to the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), particularly those cultivating Native Customary Rights (NCR) land without formal land documentation.
It said this information is essential to assess the scale of the threat accurately and direct assistance to those who need it most.
DANI stressed that the public should not be given the impression that all NCR land without individual titles is automatically ineligible to supply produce to the EU market.
"The authorities must clarify what constitutes valid evidence of land rights and lawful land use under domestic law, and which supporting documents can be used to satisfy buyers’ due diligence requirements.
"If interim documentation is proposed, the government must explain its legal basis, the issuing authority and the measures to ensure its acceptance in the compliance process.
"At the same time, the issuance of land titles must be accompanied by assistance to meet other requirements, including mapping, geolocation, traceability and evidence that production meets deforestation-free requirements," DANI said.
It also called on the state government to disclose the current status of efforts to secure an exemption or recognition of the particular circumstances surrounding NCR land ownership in Sarawak, including any official response from the EU.
"However, the protection of smallholders must not depend entirely on the success of that request. The government must prepare an action plan in the event that an exemption is not granted," DANI said, urging both the state and federal governments, together with the relevant agencies, DOPPA, mill operators and buyers, to identify smallholders facing actual risks and determine the assistance they require; set clear timelines for surveying and documenting NCR land already under cultivation; and provide technical and financial assistance for mapping, geolocation and record preparation.
DANI said they should obtain written clarification from buyers on the evidence required to demonstrate compliance; and publish regular progress reports, including the number of smallholders assisted and issues that remain unresolved.
DANI further stressed that compliance costs should not be borne entirely by smallholders with limited financial resources and technical capacity.
In response to DOPPA's statement, Kapit Member of Parliament Alexander Nanta Linggi has urged the state government to intensify and accelerate its efforts to survey, demarcate and properly document Native Customary Rights (NCR) land, particularly land already being cultivated by smallholders.
Nanta, who is also Works Minister, also said the state government should expedite the issuance of individual land titles to eligible NCR landowners so that they have proper legal documentation to establish their rights and support compliance with international market requirements.
No comments:
Post a Comment