KUCHING: Innovation and integrity have been highlighted as two important thrusts in strengthening land management in Sarawak in line with the government's goal to develop the state into a developed and high-income region by 2030.

Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg stressed that these two aspects are the metaphor of two wings that lift the Land and Survey Department (JTS) to a higher level in supporting the state's development agenda.

"Innovation ensures that we always move forward with new creative and effective solutions, while integrity ensures that every step we take is based on the principles of honesty, fairness and trust," he said.

He said this in a speech read by Sarawak Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development (MUDeNR), Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan at the closing ceremony of the Sarawak Land and Survey Innovation and Integrity Day 2025 at a hotel, here on Friday.

The Sarawak Premier also expressed pride in the success of the land surveying programme under Section 6 of the Land Code, where more than 1.2 million hectares of land had been surveyed and more than 900,000 hectares of it had been gazetted.

This effort, he said, was proof of the JTS's commitment to safeguarding the rights of the people, especially in relation to Native Customary Rights (NCR) land, which is now also being given focus through the issuance of title deeds.

The Sarawak Premier also emphasised the need to continue to strengthen the culture of innovation among civil servants, while ensuring that every innovation is implemented with full responsibility and accountability.

Emphasis on clear documentation and fair enforcement of the law are important aspects in ensuring the trust of all parties, he added.

Also present were Deputy Minister of Town Planning, Land Administration and Environment, Datuk Len Talif Salleh, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Integrity and Ombudsman), Datuk Dr. Juanda Jaya and Director of JTS Sarawak, Awang Zamnhari Awang Mahmood. -UKASnews