1,706 land titles handed over to owners in Bukit Semuja

ALL 1,706 land titles issued under two survey programmes in Bukit Semuja have been handed over to landowners.

Deputy Minister for Urban Planning Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh said the titles were issued under the Native Customary Rights (NCR) Land Survey New Initiative Programme and the Traditional Village Survey Programme.

“As of Sept 30, 2026, a total of 1,255 land titles have been issued under Section 18 of the Sarawak Land Code across three areas covering 741 hectares, or 1,831 acres, under the second phase of the NCR Land Survey New Initiative Programme.

“Of these, two areas have been documented by the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA), accounting for 312 land titles covering 528 hectares, or 1,305 acres.

“Under the Traditional Village Survey Programme, another 451 land titles have been issued across three villages covering 21 hectares, or 52 acres, through an initiative by the Sarawak Land and Survey Department,” he said.

He was responding to John Ilus (GPS-Bukit Semuja) during question and answer session on Wednesday (Oct 14).

He said the Sarawak government appreciated DBNA’s commitment and documentation initiative in helping to expedite NCR land surveys under Sections 6 and 18 of the Sarawak Land Code.

“However, the documentation must be verified and validated by the Land and Survey Department before gazettement and land titles can be confirmed,” he said.

Adding on the progress of NCR land surveys in Bukit Semuja, Len Talif said 9,653 hectares, or 23,852 acres, had undergone perimeter surveys under the NCR Land Survey New Initiative Programme as of Sept 30.

“Individual lot surveys have also been completed across 2,282 hectares, or 5,639 acres, involving 3,069 lots.”

Concerning the adoption of technology to expedite NCR land surveys, he said the Sarawak government continued to strengthen the use of surveying technology.

“Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology has been adopted as an alternative surveying method in open areas without canopy cover.

“The method was suitable and effective in such areas, allowing surveys to be carried out more efficiently than conventional methods.”