Native Customary Rights land compensation cases valued at RM6.7 mln in Sarawak remain unresolved

KUCHING (Nov 28): A total of 146 Native Customary Rights (NCR) land compensation cases across Sarawak remain unresolved, involving an estimated compensation value of RM6.7 million.

Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Native Laws and Customs) Datuk Jefferson Jamit Unyat said the figure comprises cases still undergoing document verification, valuation, ownership confirmation, and administrative processes between the relevant agencies before they could be fully settled.

“The main factors contributing to the backlog of land compensation cases include the lengthy court process. Resolving a single court case, particularly those involving land compensation, typically takes at least three months if it proceeds through a full hearing,” he said during the question-and-answer session at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) here.

He was responding to a query from John Ilus (GPS–Bukit Semuja) on the number of land compensation cases being heard in the Sarawak Native Court and the compensation amounts involved.

Jamit added that delays were also due to a shortage of magistrates, especially in the District Native Courts.

“The high number of cases compared to the limited number of magistrates has led to postponements and an accumulation of unresolved cases.

“Additionally, proceedings are further prolonged when lawyers representing either the claimant or the defendant frequently request adjournments, particularly at the District Native Court level and higher courts,” he said.

He noted that from 2008 until October 2025, a total of 157 court cases involving NCR land compensation amounting to RM12.5 million had been resolved in the Sarawak Native Courts and channelled to the respective parties.

Meanwhile, he said 303 cases involving disputes and compensation claims for NCR land and crops, amounting to RM19.2 million, are currently registered in the Sarawak Native Courts statewide.