January 23, 2026
Local
Local
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 23 — Two foreign nationals have become the first individuals in Malaysia to be charged in court for littering under the newly enforced anti-littering law, according to a report by The Star.
KUCHING, July 1 — PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar should go beyond making statements on Sarawak’s Native Customary Rights (NCR) land and actively engage with the affected communities and stakeholders, said Sarawak rights activist Peter John Jaban.
While appreciating Nurul Izzah’s concern, Peter pointed out that NCR land issues have persisted for decades with little attention from federal leaders.
“If these are the same issues being raised in 2025, the real question is — why only now?
“For years, NCR landowners have been fighting alone — in courtrooms, on logging roads, in remote longhouses — without legal support or media coverage. Where was the federal interest back then?” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.
He was responding to Nurul Izzah’s recent call for faster surveys and ownership approvals for NCR land, as well as a freeze on new licences issued for disputed areas.
Peter noted that although Nurul Izzah has held public office and championed various national matters, her involvement in indigenous land issues in Sarawak has been limited.
“Her concern is valid and appreciated by NCR landowners — but concern without action or clarity isn’t enough.”
He warned that without genuine consultation with Dayak-based groups and land rights advocates, her remarks risk appearing “superficial — more headline than help”.
Peter urged her to meet directly with NCR landowners and civil society groups, and to push for reforms in state-federal governance to protect native land rights beyond just administrative surveys.
“For her advocacy to carry weight, it needs to be supported by real engagement,” he said, adding that her position at the federal level could help amplify longstanding local struggles.
Peter also highlighted that since the introduction of the perimeter survey under Section 6 of the Sarawak Land Code in 2010, various concerns have been raised by civil society, lawyers, and native leaders over its transparency and impact.
Among these, he said, is the fear that NCR land could be converted into leasehold titles — a move that, in many cases, strips the land of its traditional protections. — The Borneo Post
Road Transport Department (JPJ) director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli revealed that, according to statistics, a total of 248,504 Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags have been issued for privately owned vehicles, while 3,765 tags have been issued for company-owned vehicles. — Bernama photo
