Sarawak to protect NCR lands with mandatory owner consent for surveys

The Sarawak government will only proceed with Native Customary Rights (NCR) land surveys when landowners have provided their consent, the state's deputy premier has confirmed. The protection measure underscores the administration's commitment to respecting indigenous land tenure and preventing unauthorised assessments of traditionally-held territories. NCR lands, which represent significant portions of Sarawak's landscape, are owned and managed according to customary practices by indigenous communities including the Iban, Bidayuh, and Orang Ulu peoples. The requirement for owner consent reflects broader efforts by the state to balance development needs with the preservation of indigenous land rights. The policy ensures that communities maintain agency over their ancestral lands while the government works to formalise ownership records and integrate NCR holdings into the state's land administration systems. Officials have indicated that this consent-based approach will facilitate smoother coordination between survey teams and landowners, potentially reducing disputes and building greater public confidence in the documentation process.