Souce : Borneo Post
Date : 17/8/93
Forget the claims, Berawans told
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KUCHING, (B.P. 17-8-93) Mon. - The State Government will not entertain the
Native Customary Rights (NCR) land claims by the Berawans in Mulu, Assistant
Minister in the Chief Minister's Office Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said today.
"The unsubstantiated claims by the Berawans will not be entertained even
though the ulu tribe has been staging protests and strikes recently," he
said.
Asked how the government planned to resolve the issue, he said "Just let it
be."
Speaking to reporters after launching the Sports Carnival Week of ITM Sarawak
this morning, Awang Tengah explained that the government can not entertain
such claims for NCR which would create a precedent and prompt other issues to
surface.
Assuring the government's recognition of NCR land in accordance with the
provisions under the Land Code which had approved many genuine claims, he,
however said the Berawans in Mulu had not proven their rights to the land.
He was disappointed that the controversy emerged as it not only affected the
tourism industry but also resulted in losses to the Berawans themselves.
According to Awang Tengah, no evidences were provided by the Berawans on their
claims on the Mulu land, including the letter of settlement from the District
Officer during the colonial times.
"The area mapping by the Land and Survey Department after 1958 showed that the
Mulu region was covered by virgin jungle without any signs of settlements or
cultivation," he said.
--- * Origin: Asia Pacific Solidarity - Sarawak (90:600/108)--