MIRI – Sarawak’s Land and Survey Department has denied allegations that its officers have been giving beer to people in Iban longhouses who have applied for land titles.
The department also refuted allegations that it practices favouritism in issuing land titles to the Malays, Melanaus and Muslim converts.
The department, in a statement, said the issue came about after certain quarters posted the allegations on social media.
“They accused the department of giving beer to the Iban communities who applied for land titles. The department was also accused of siding with the Malays and Melanaus in issuing them land titles and denying the Ibans.
“These allegations started after a recent event in Bintulu (on December 1 by caretaker deputy chief minister Datuk Awang Tengah Ali Hasan) where land titles were issued to groups of people.
“These allegations are not true. They are being shared on social media and our department views this as something serious as it can cause racial misunderstandings,” the statement said.
On December 1, Awang Tengah in Bintulu presented land titles on behalf of the department to 358 families from the Malay, Melanau and Muslim-Penans communities. The titles were issued under Section 18 of the Sarawak Land Code.
The department gave its assurance that the Ibans are also being given land titles if they qualify.
Sarawak heads to the polls on December 18, with nomination day on December 6 and early voting on December 14. – The Vibes, December 9, 2021
