SARAWAK Deputy Chief Minister Douglas Uggah Embas, long accused of being part of a state-sponsored programme to “grab” native customary rights (NCR) land, is turning the tables on his detractors.

He said he will find out who among them have sold their NCR land to non-natives using “dubious methods”.

By law, non-natives cannot buy NCR land, but many sellers have found a way around it.

Uggah, who was severely criticised over amendments to the Sarawak Land Code involving NCR land that were passed by the state assembly in July, told the 7th Iban Cultural Symposium in Sibu last night that he will start a survey on the matter.

“The government has given out thousands of titles to such land, and now, we really want to know how much of the land is still in the hands of the original owners.

“Our forefathers toiled and fought very hard to own and protect the land. We, the present generation, must ensure that the land continues to remain with us.”

If such sales continue unchecked, natives could end up landless, he said.

He said he is toying with the idea of setting up a special organisation to buy back NCR land from non-natives “as a last resort”.

Uggah said if owners of NCR land are desperate to sell, they could do so to the organisation, which, in turn, would sell the land to natives.

“This way, the land remains with natives.”

He added that he is aware of sales carried out in prime areas, such as his hometown of Betong, 250km from Kuching, and Saratok and Spaoh towns in central Sarawak. – October 26, 2018.