KANOWIT, April 14 (Bernama) -- Located about 60km from Sibu, this town of 29,000 predominantly-Iban population sits nicely on the bank of Sungai Rajang, the country's longest river.

From Sibu, it takes about one and half hours journey on an express boat to reach this town.

It was the administrative centre for Sarawak's Central region during the time of the state's "White Rajah".

That was about the best of Kanowit's achievement during the colonial years.

Now Kanowit is a "success story" for the state government's concept of developing commercial oil palm estates on Native Customary Right (NCR) land.

DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT

It began in 1996.

Kanowit district was chosen to spearhead this concept and there is some 1.5 million hectares of such land in Sarawak.

By the state's Land Code definition, NCR land is that which has been occupied and cultivated before Jan 1, 1958.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud who mooted this new agriculture concept said it could help in eradicating rural poverty and expedite infrastructure development in the state's interiors.

"Under this concept, there will be a combination of capital brought in by people who have the money as well as regimented labour and management expertise by those trained in modern methods of plantation agriculture," he said.

Abdul Taib said NCR landowners are only required to allow their land to be used for at least 60 years with options to renew the lease period.

Under the agreement, profit would be shared by the developer (60 per cent) and landowners (30 per cent). The remaining 10 per cent goes to the Land Custody Development Authority (LCDA) that acts as trustee for landowners.

TOUGH JOB

State Assemblyman for Machan, Datuk Gramong Juna, who is also the Sarawak Rural and Land Development Assistant Minister is instrumental in campaigning for the concept's eventual acceptance.

It took him almost one year to convince the NCR landowners, most of them illiterate, to accept the concept.

Land is a very sensitive issue for the natives, coupled with "spoilers" thrown in by the so-called environmentalists and aspiring politicians, Gramong found himself cornered from all sides.

But Gramong stood his ground. From time to time his "white knights" included the chief minister himself and cabinet ministers.

When the dust settled, the first investor to come in was Kuala Sidim Bhd, a subsidiary of plantation giant Boustead Holdings Berhad, on Aug 19, 1996.

The Boustead/Pelita joint-venture was then formed.

Under this joint-venture, the Kanowit Oil Palm Plantation (KOP) took shape. To date it had spent more than RM200 million including RM35 million on a palm oil processing mill.

KOP has planted oil palm trees on 14,000 hectares of land and is developing another 10,000 hectares. Last year it harvested about 160,000 tonnes of fresh fruit bunches (FFB).

JOBS AT PLANTATIONS

Gramong said KOP involves 1,685 families from 111 longhouses in Kanowit with a high number of these people being employed to work at the plantations.

He said KOP generates about RM300,000 cash flow a month -- as payment for workers' salaries as well as creating businesses for the town.

"Of course the diehard critics are still around, as well as some yet to be met pledges...but it cannot be denied that the project has sparked new impetus and life for Kanowit and its people.

"If social indicators are anything to go by, we can now see higher standard of living among the longhouse folks," he told Bernama.

Gramong said the longhouse people are able to afford bigger refrigerators and television sets apart from buying motorcycles and electricity generators.

Some bought at least Perodua Kancil cars, while others now have gleaming 4-wheel-drive vehicles, he said.

There are also treated water and power supply infrastructure, said Gramong.

Based on official statistics, the project had created 76 local contractors who earned between RM3,000 and RM8,000 a month. The average monthly income for each family had jumped from RM296 in 1996 to RM720 now.

Owner of a supermarket that occupies four shop lots here, Hock Tong Seng, said his business had gone up.

However, not everyone spend their money here as Sibu town is only 60 km away, he said.

MORE PALM OIL PLANTATIONS

January this year saw Perak-based Putaran Bijak Sdn Bhd arriving to develop 7,000 hectares of oil palm estate. It has an option for another 8,000 hectares.

Managing director Abdul Rashid Datuk Shaharuddin expects the company to spend RM60 million in development costs.

Another company, Team Plate Sdn Bhd from Johore is now preparing its nursery for 11,360 hectares of oil palm estates. The company was allocated the land late last year.

Some 1,800 families from 83 longhouses are expected to benefit from these latest developments.

Gramong said two more new areas -- 22,980 hectares and 8,000 hectares respectively, have been identified for future development.

He is hoping for the companies to adopt an integrated concept like rearing cattle and planting fruit trees in their plantations.

KANOWIT'S FUTURE

On Kanowit's future, Gramong said there are plans for another government housing scheme, new commercial and light industrial zones paving the way for the birth of a satelite town.

He said a study is conducted for Kanowit to have its own tourism niche based on local culture and traditions.

Gramong's priority remains in getting more roads built to open up Kanowit's huge hinterlands.

A major on-going project is the RM50 million Kanowit-Ngemah road that will link the town to the Poi, Dap and Ngemah interiors.

Completion of the RM96 million Sibu-Durin Bridge, the last missing link on the Pan Sarawak Highway in September this year, means more visitors and business opportunities will be coming in for Kanowit.

-- BERNAMA