WORKS Minister Baru Bian said Putrajaya decided not to allocate any funds in Budget 2019 for Sarawak’s survey of native customary rights (NCR) lands, as the matter is not under the federal government’s purview.

“The federal government does not have any say in our land matters,” the Selangau MP said in response to criticism from Sarawak leaders to the federal budget.

The ousted Barisan Nasional federal government had allocated RM30 million in Budget 2019 to map the perimeter of NCR lands claimed by Sarawak natives. It had also funded surveys in 2017.

The state government, under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), as well as MPs and assemblymen from the coalition, had criticised Putrajaya for discontinuing the allocation.

But Baru said any federal funds for this purpose should be treated as a bonus.

“By their criticism, they are implying that the Pakatan Harapan government is not concerned about NCR.”

He denied this, and adding that legally, recognition of NCR land was more important.

“NCR exists whether it is surveyed or not. Its existence does not arise from a survey,” he said.

Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg in Miri yesterday said since there was no federal allocation for the perimeter survey, the state government would provide the funds.

There was also no mention of any allocation from the state when he tabled the state budget today, but the chief minister said his deputy, Douglas Uggah Embas, would announce the amount later in the state legislative assembly. – November 5, 2018.