The Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority should develop more Native Customary Rights land in the Sarawak interior, says Deputy Information, Communication and Culture Minister Joseph Salang.
“But of course, this can only be done with the full consent of all the owners,” he said at a pre-Gawai Dayak gathering organised by Felcra Sarawak at a longhouse in Kerangan Rian, last night.
Felcra has developed NCR land in Kuching, Sarikei and Julau on a profit-sharing basis with the owners.
Salang understood that Felcra has earmarked several thousand hectares of NCR land to be developed into oil palm plantations.
He wants Felcra to develop even more NCR land in partnership with the owners.
Salang said that Felcra was a good partner for the owners because “it is prepared to develop land without any title, is not entirely profit-driven and uses public funds to help people make money.”
Oil palm is now the only crop planted on NCR land, but Salang said Felcra could also, with the agreement of the owners, choose to plant rubber.
Jalang, who is MP for Jalau, said there were large areas of NCR land in his constituency that could be developed into oil palm or rubber estates.
He also said that Jalau could be a very good commodity feeder area for the Tanjung Manis halal hub which was set to be the biggest halal food producer in the country.
– Bernama
CJMY
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