Govt to re-look into villagers’ land issue – CM

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Shafie (sixth right), Tangau (fifth left), Ewon (fifth right), Junz (fourth right), Yusof (third left) and other invited guests cutting a cake at the Christmas Open House at the Kiulu Community Hall yesterday. -Bernama photo

KIULU: The State Government will re-look into the longstanding land dispute faced by the villagers of Kampung Tinusa 1 Sandakan who are now on the verge of losing their homes, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Shafie Apdal.

“Their land was not taken away; the land (issue) is now a court matter and a decision has been made. However, we will see how it goes. I have instructed the Land and Survey Department director to look into the issue.

“We do have existing laws and we would have to follow them. (But at the same time), we must look at the existing villagers and their homes,” Shafie remarked.

“My approach from the beginning is to ensure that government-linked companies and government agencies look into (issues faced by the people) and to always cooperate with the people,” Shafie told reporters, when met at Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau’s Christmas Open House at Kiulu Community Hall yesterday.

On January 8, it was reported in The Borneo Post that some 180 villagers of the said village had pleaded for an immediate intervention by the State Government to prevent them from being evicted from their homes that they have been living in for the past 30 years.

It is understood that the villagers from the 30 households had brought their case over the land to the High Court after a private company appeared with a country lease (CL) title deed to claim ownership to the 5.22 acres of land in 2004.

The villagers’ legal battle ended when their appeal was dismissed by the Appeals Court in Kota Kinabalu on August 7, 2018. They were then given a period from December 27, 2018 up till January 7, 2019 (yesterday) to vacate the land with their belongings.

Separately, on the barter trade system, Shafie opined that the matter is something that should be carried out to ensure cooperation between Sabah and its neighboring countries.

“Firstly, we have to re-ignite this region with our trading business. One of the ways we can do this is through the barter trade system – which has been done since a long time ago,” said Shafie, adding that history has proven that the barter trade system had benefited Sabah tremendously in the past.

Shafie reckons the barter trade system could rejuvenate business in areas such as Sandakan, Tawau and Kudat. He also thinks that the barter trade system would reduce the risk of smuggling and kidnapping cases in the state.

When asked to comment on Yamani Hafez Musa’s recent oath-taking ceremony as the Sipitang member of parliament (which was done at the last minute), Shafie said that Yamani had the right to do so as it was in accordance with the law (within the specified period).

“Since he won the election, he has to be sworn in, even if it is a bit late. What is important for him is his responsibility to the people,” said Shafie.

Among those present at the event were Rural Development Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick, Education and Innovation Minister, Datuk Yusof Yacob and Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Junz Wong.