KOTA KINABALU: Bela Tanah Rakyat Sabah (TABAH) movement is planning to organize a bigger rally and hand over a memorandum on native land issues to opposition leaders.
Its secretary general Lahirul Latigu said Tabah would hold a Bangkit 2.0 rally and present the memorandum to prominent leaders from the opposition parties, including PAS, DAP and Keadilan.
“We want to send a strong and clear message to the government that if they do not have the sincerity and willingness to listen to the people, there are always alternative parties to whom the people can express their concerns,” he told reporters here yesterday.
Tabah on Monday held a 123Bangkit, a peaceful gathering to highlight the people’s concerns over perennial land issues in the State.
However they failed to get the document to the Chief Minister after the police stopped their procession heading towards Wisma Innoprise to prevent untoward incident.
He said the second gathering would be held either at the Padang Bandaran or Likas Sport Complex as agreed by the police for the previous 123Bangkit.
He added the movement had not decided on the actual date for Bangkit2.0 and would discuss with all the opposition political parties and NGOs who are interested.
“We want to properly plan this one so that it can be held smoothly and allow as many people as possible to participate,” he said, adding that the movement was targeting to have 10,000 people to take part in the event.
Meanwhile, on another related matter, Latigu denied allegation that Bantah had misled and lured the people to participate in the last gathering by promising them financial reward.
Commenting on a report published in a local daily that Bantah had cheated villagers from Tawau to take part in the gathering, he said the movement never promised to pay any individual for attending the event.
“Our objective and intention were also made clear to the public. The gathering was on a voluntary basis, for people to come together to highlight the need for firm action in addressing issues pertaining to native land,” he said.
Latigu also regretted the alleged State Immigration Department’s action in banning a PAS leader from entering Sabah to participate in the gathering.
“The parties involved owe us an explanation, and I hope this tactic would not be used again when we invite the other opposition leaders from Peninsular Malaysia to join,” he said.