JUDGMENT

Introduction

[1] There are four appeals before us stemming from the decision of the Court of Appeal given on 27 September 2013 dismissing the appellants' appeals and affirming the decision of the High Court. The High Court had on 23 February 2012 allowed the respondents' claim in Kuching Civil Suit No 22-249-98 III.

[2] At the High Court, TR Nyutan Ak Jami, Gangak Anak Guma and Langa Anak Kama, who are Iban by race, were the plaintiffs. They sued on behalf of themselves and 183 other residents of Kampong Lebor, Jalan Gedong, 94700 Serian Sarawak. The plaintiffs claimed that prior to 1 January 1958, they and their forefathers had acquired Native Customary Rights (NCR) over areas of land (disputed lands) that were included in three (3) parcels of land provisionally leased to Lembaga Pembangunan Dan Lindungan Tanah and Nirwana Muhibbah Sdn Bhd (1st and 2nd defendants) by the Superintendent of Lands and Surveys Kota Samarahan Division (4th defendant).