A referendum has revealed that the Berawan community in Kampung Long Terawan Tutoh in Baram overwhelmingly support the reforestation and oil palm planting project in the vicinity of their village, states a report in a local English daily.

The project is to be undertaken by a government-approved joint venture company.

protest at berawan on ncr land scam sarawak long terawan 230609 03 This is contrary to a claim by an action committee (left) formed by representatives of the 1,000-strong Berawan community.

The committee claimed that the majority of owners of native customary rights (NCR) land are not in favour of the project.

They first want to ascertain the actual benefits and terms and conditions of the agreement signed by village head Edmund Abang on behalf of the village and Pusaka KTS Forest Plantations Sdn Bhd over the weekend.

The Borneo Pos t report said the company formed by state agency Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) and a timber/plantation-based conglomerate KTS Holdings Sdn Bhd has been tasked with the development of state land.

"(The agreement) will open up the area resulting in a new chapter of physical and economic development in the remote area," it reported.

Pusaka KTS has been issued with a licence for planted forests in the concession area registered as LPF/00111 in Tutoh, allowing it to develop forest and oil palm plantations on what is described as degraded state land while preserving the environmentally sensitive forested areas under sustainable forest management system.

The Sarawak government has always insisted that all land - including NCR land - is considered as state or government land. This has raised question sover what really constitutes NCR land, even though the country's apex court has already defined the meaning.

'Joyous occasion for Berawans'

The report said the signing ceremony marked "a joyous occasion for the Berawans by the Tutoh River as it is the starting point of a transformation of their area".

protest at berawan on ncr land scam sarawak long terawan 230609 02 But it did not say how the natives will benefit from such development.

According to the report, Penghulu Herbert Lawai regards the move as "a historic step which will ensure that the community keeps abreast of other progressive communities".

He was also quoted as saying that the villagers are "honoured and thankful" to the company which will make Kampung Long Terawan "a model village" in the process.

"The longhouse people are supporting the project because we want to see change and additional development," Herbert said.

STIDC general manager Len Talif Salleh said he was heartened by the slogan on a banner that was put up for the event - 'The people of Long Terawan - Moving Forward'.

He said this indicates they want progress along with the rest of the world and do not want to be left behind.

Len, who also heads the Sarawak Forestry Department, said it is mandatory for the licensee to exclude villages, alienated land or NCR land from such development projects.

Village chief Edmund Abang was reported as saying that the villagers are happy with the agreement, adding that it would pave the way for greater progress for the community.