(From second left) Alexander, Peggy, Katis, Jadam and Juni perform the ‘miring’ as Sali (left) and others look on.


Children exploring in the crystal-clear Sungai Ngemah.

KANOWIT: Some 500 Ngemah constituents have expressed their joy over the commencement of perimeter survey on their native customary rights (NCR) land.

According to community leader Penghulu Juni Massam, they have been waiting for quite a long time for the matter to materialise, on top of having to face issues with some land owners who are opposed to the project.
“Series of discussions between Land and Survey Department and these land owners have been held on the matter.

“The exercise, which is using a new initiative, is very meaningful in guaranteeing us the ownership of our ancestral land, to be followed by the issuance of individual land titles,” he said during the ‘Nasih Menua’ blessing ceremony held at Lubuk Subung pebble beach in Sungai Ngemah here on Saturday.


Longhouse residents preparing lunch for the guests.

Juni said the areas to be surveyed had been designated as N43, spanning Tapang Punggu to Batu Sebaya, and N44 from Batu Sebaya to Nanga Belatong.

The ceremony, which was organised by Juni, Tuai Rumah Sali Kirak and Jadam Datuk, also saw Ngemah assemblyman Alexander Vincent attending.

In his remark, Alexander commended his constituents for their support to the perimeter survey.

“Sungai Ngemah is the only area in my constituency that has not been surveyed; whereas areas in Pedai, Jih and Bawan are only waiting to be gazetted,” he said.

On Nanga Ngungun-Nanga Jagau Road, Alexander said he had submitted the proposal to expedite the project to the Chief Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, adding that compensation had been disbursed to affected land owners.

“I really hope that construction could finish before the next state election.

“Residents from no fewer than 30 longhouses in Ngemah Tengah and Ngemah Ulu will also benefit from the road when it is completed,” he said.

Also present at the event were Kanowit district officer Katis Noel Nyabong and Sibu Land and Survey superintendant Peggy Ronin Edin.


A woman singing an Iban ‘pantun’ (poem) at the event.