50 years of SALCRA: 22,000 participants, proof NCR land is capable of being a high-value economic asset

KUCHING, 13 Oct: Success of Sarawak Land Association and Restoration Board (SALCRA) to develop about 55,000 hectares of land with the participation of 22,000 participants from 400 long houses and villages proves that development of land Hak Adat Bumiputera (NCR) can be a catalyst for economic transformation of rural Sarawak community.

Sarawak Prime Minister, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said that the achievements over the 50 years made SALCRA an important model in trying to convert previously uncultivated land into productive assets that give economic return.

According to him, land is an economic asset that must be systematically exploited so that its owners do not lose the opportunity to earn income and improve living standards.

"From an economic point of view, land is a valuable asset. However, the value of the land does not benefit its owners if it is not worked", he said while speaking at the SALCRA 50 Years Golden Jubilee Dinner Meeting under the theme Sow, Grow, Prosper here, last night.

Commenting further, Brother Johari said that the land management unification approach adopted by SALCRA allows small-scale land lots to be jointly developed through the concept of field economy or economies of scale.

He emphasized that the concept is not aimed at taking over ownership of community land, but rather to unify its management so that farm development can be implemented in a more orderly, efficient and sustainable manner.

"If small-scale land is developed together, it can form a larger asset and have high economic value", he said.

He added that modern land management through structured business entities also helps to reduce production costs, increase profit margins and create better economic returns for the landowners participating in SALCRA programme.

In the meantime, Brother Johari also paid tribute to Tan Sri Datuk Amar Alfred Jabu Numpang for his role in fighting for a land management unification approach since 1976, including presentation of related bills at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN).

He attributed the naming of Tan Sri Datuk Amar Alfred Jabu Building in Samarahan City as a tribute to the contributions made by these figures and the pioneering generation that laid the foundation for SALCRA development, thus opening the way for rural communities to enjoy continuous economic benefits. - TVS