The Court of Appeal has affirmed that the Malays of Sarawak have “cari makan” rights over swamp lands surrounding their villages, where they forage food or generally use produce from the land for their livelihood.

“This is a landmark case that is equivalent to the Dayak Iban’s ‘pemakai menua’ (territorial domain),” said lawyer Baru Bian, who represented Rambli Kawi in the matter.

Rambli had sued the Sarawak government for rejecting his claim to swamp land that he considered his place for ‘cari makan’ and 547.49 acres of land at Loba Rombongan in Kuching, which he acquired through the local custom, adat serah (surrender).