Uggah (left) receives a compilation book of the preliminary output of the conference from Jaul at the closing ceremony yesterday. — Photos by Chimon Upon

KUCHING: The amendment to the Sarawak Land Code will be tabled at the next State Legislative Assembly meeting which is scheduled to be held in July this year.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said this following the proposal to amend the land code, which is vital to resolve the issues on Pemakai Menua (PM) and Pulau Galau (PG).

“We are setting up a special committee headed by deputy state secretary Datu Jaul

Samion to study the proposal and make recommendations to the task force on the definitions of PM and PG,” said Uggah during the closing of the two-day ‘Conference for Community Leaders on Pemakai Menua and Pulai Galau’ at Imperial Hotel here, which started on Wednesday.

Uggah (10th left, third row) gives the thumbs-up together with the delegates of the conference after the closing ceremony.

The conference, he added, had provided a meaningful platform for the committee to take note of the common and differing issues involving PM and PG which did not have a ‘force of law’.

Uggah, who is also adviser to the conference and chairman to the special committee, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had agreed to amend the land code which reflected the state government’s willingness to listen to the plight of the people — especially the community leaders.

The conference, which was participated by over 400 community leaders throughout Sarawak, had brought to the fore several beneficial and interesting suggestions and proposals.

“The task force will study and see where the proposals and suggestions can be relevant to resolution,” said Uggah.

Among the issues and proposals, he highlighted, is the need to expedite the issuance of land titles – within a month for agriculture activities such as oil palm plantations.

This, he said, would be made through a special committee comprising the Sarawak Land and Survey Department and the Malaysian Palm Oil Board.

Meanwhile, the DUN sitting on Jan 30 serves to commemorate the assembly’s 150th anniversary and will not see the tabling of the land code amendment, clarified Uggah.

Also present were former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang and various state assemblymen from BN and the opposition front.