Uggah (third left) greets the Telang Usan community accompanied by (from left) Dennis and Layar assemblyman Gerald Rentap Jabu.
MIRI: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sarawak’s pledge to restore and protect Native Customary Rights (NCR) land should it form the next state government has been labelled an empty promise to fish for votes.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said he found PKR Sarawak chairman Larry Sng’s pledge amusing.
“PKR was in power for 22 months in the Pakatan Harapan (federal) government but what had the party done for NCR landowners?
“As a matter of fact, one of its former members of the parliament had even called on the PH government to stop allocating funds for NCR land perimeter survey operations,” he said at a dinner he hosted for the Telang Usan community on Friday in conjunction with the Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) mini convention.
Uggah, who is a PBB deputy president, said the same MP had been a vocal critic of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government’s efforts to resolve NCR land problems through Section 6 and Section 18 of the State Land Code.
“But then he and his family members had benefitted through these very sections that he had opposed. Such is the insincerity and unfairness to the rest who are waiting for their land titles to be issued.
“PKR is obviously trying to fish for votes. But I believe NCR landowners are now better informed of the seriousness and commitment of the GPS government in recognising NCR land ownership,” he said.
According to Uggah, opposition parties are trying to mislead the people in an attempt to topple the GPS government.
“The people will not be easily taken in by lies and sweet promises,” he stressed.
On agriculture, the Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development said the GPS government would continue its development programmes, including those under the Highland Development Agency (HDA).
“The HDA areas have very high potential as a food production area. We want to exploit its full potential. In Telang Usan area alone, we are spending RM750 million to bring in more infrastructure and amenities. And this is for a start.
“The HDA area can be a very important contributor to the state’s objective of becoming a net exporter of food and food products by 2030,” he said.
Uggah said while the government would provide the resources, infrastructure, programmes, and expertise, the people themselves had to do their part to ensure success.
GPS secretary-general Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, who is Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, said GPS is now very much respected for its unity, strength, and stability nationwide.
“Even our Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin speaks highly of GPS to us and when GPS is strong it can help to stabilise the federal government.
“Then we can expect a lot of goodies from the federal government,” he said.
Nanta added he supported having Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau renominated to defend the seat, but pointed out the final decision lay with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, who is PBB president.
“Dennis has shown himself to be a disciplined, dedicated, and hard-working representative,” Nanta said.
The post PKR making empty NCR land promises to fish for votes — Uggah appeared first on Borneo Post Online.
Source: https://www.theborneopost.com/2020/09/06/pkr-making-empty-ncr-land-promises-to-fish-for-votes-uggah/