Individual native titles for Sabah, communal land titles to be abolished

KOTA KINABALU (August 8): Individual native titles will replace the soon to be abolished communal land titles in Sabah, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

The controversial communal land titles were introduced during the run of the previous government. 

The Malay Mail quoted Shafie, who said that while there remained more details to be worked out, the Parti Warisan Sabah’s election manifesto promise would be implemented, likely by this year.

“I will explain more, in detail, soon, when the 100 days are up,” he said, reported the Malay Mail, during a press conference.

Former chief minister Tan Sri Musa Aman’s administration saw communal titles mooted, for the purpose of preventing individuals from selling their land to “outsiders”.

About 96 communal titles were issued, involving 152,268 acres to 13,789 beneficiaries in 15 districts in Sabah since 2010.

Dissatisfaction arose amongst the people, when 51 communal titles were placed under joint venture with state and private companies for agricultural development. 

The daily reports that some claimed their native customary rights (NCR) to ancestral land had been reduced to just beneficiaries under a communal title.

While the new system will still allow for joint venture arrangements, new terms and conditions will apply.

Individual native titles cannot be charged, transferred or assigned to a new party, with the exception of the owner’s children, said Shafie.

“The individual native titles also cannot be dealt with through the power-of-attorney, this has happened before causing some complications when the title holder passes away. These measures are to protect the land owner,” he said.

The daily quoted Shafie, who said the move was necessary because native land belonged to the people who should have rights to the land.