The state government has decided to provide funds for the Native Customary Right (NCR) land perimeter survey after no allocation was given for such work from the federal government during the tabling of Budget 2019 on Friday.

Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg said the quantum of the fund for such purpose would be announced by the Deputy Chief Minister Douglas Uggah Embas soon and
hoped the landowners would continue to cooperate to ensure the survey works were being implemented smoothly.

"The state will take over NCR survey," he announced at the closing of the seventh Orang Ulu Cultural Symposium held at Miri Civic Centre today.

For the record, in Budget 2018 a total of RM30 million had been allocated for Sarawak and RM20 million for Sabah for mapping and measurement of NCR land in both states.

As for incentives for babies born in Sarawak next year, Abang Johari said details of the incentives would be announced tomorrow morning at the state Budget 2019 tabling in the State Legislative Assembly.

"Sarawakians, regardless of their social, religious and racial backgrounds, will get the incentive," he said, adding that the incentives could be withdrawn once their children reach 18 years old.

At the same function, Abang Johari announced a total of RM35 million allocation to the Federation of Orang Ulu Associations Sarawak, Malaysia (Forum) to implement their two new projects following the resolution decided in the symposium.

He said RM25 million would be given for the construction of the Orang Ulu Cultural Centre
(OUCC) that was being proposed by Forum to be built in Miri City.

"I hope the cultural centre can be realised in two years’ time," he said, adding that RM10 million
would be for the setting up of Orang Ulu Chamber of Commerce and Industries (OUCCI).

Earlier, Forum president Antonio Kahti Galis said a total of eight resolutions including requesting fund from the state government for the construction OUCC and the proposed formation of OUCCI were agreed during the symposium.

He said for the OUCC, a two-hectares or five acres of land in Miri had been approved by the state government and awaiting funds to build the building.

- Bernama