Some 100 illegals have allegedly been used by a Sabah government-linked company to evict villagers at Kampung Malinsau, Kampung Wayan and Kampung Sinurai in Ulu Sugut, Ranau, claimed State Reform Party (Star Sabah) chief Jeffrey Kitingan.

 

He said their properties, plants and crops have been destroyed and demanded that the state government immediately put a stop to the eviction of these villagers and the destruction of their properties. This is to avoid violence and bloodshed.

 

In a statement to Malaysiakini , Jeffrey said: “If the Sabah government fails to safeguard native land rights, the natives will find themselves to be squatters in their own land as it is now happening in certain parts of Sabah.”

Jeffrey said the villagers had approached him for help. “If any native blood is spilled, it will be the result the failure of Sabah government to protect them and their land.

 

He added that in Tongod recently, a company involved in a land dispute had allegedly brought in more than 100 illegals, chased out the Orang Asal there and seized their land.

He demanded that the government to return the land there to the Dusun Mangkak community.

 

Review land dispute cases

Jeffrey also wanted the state to look into the plight of these people as well and review all cases of land disputes where companies are involved with the Orang Asal.

 

Jeffrey, who is also Bingkor Assemblyman, said the Sabah and federal governments had given a guarantee on the 'Batu Sumpah' (Oath Stone), a constitutional document, that they will respect, honour and uphold the culture, customs, traditions of the Orang Asal.

 

“Land is a key part of the adat and a native customary right (NCR). It is life itself for the Orang Asal,” added Jeffrey.

 

He pointed out that the land rights of indigenous communities were recognised in the United Nations Declaration of Rights of Indigenous People.

 

“The various land grabs and the eviction of natives from their customary land, and the destruction of their crops and plants, only go to confirm that the Sabah government has failed to fulfil the wishes of the natives.

 

He said that the Sabah government needs to prove that the policy that native land rights are safeguarded with a change of policy and implementation.

 

“Where are the four elected BN representatives who include federal and state ministers at the hour of need of the native villagers?

 

“It is pointless for the Sabah government to expect the natives to fight for their rights in court when a stroke of the pen, the state can easily protect and prevent native lands from falling to non-Sabahans and non-natives,” he said.

 

Jeffrey suggested that the state should review all alienated land especially to companies which are being disputed by natives and to revoke such alienation and return such land to the rightful natives who have been recognised since the British colonial times.

 

“For Ulu Sugut, the state should consider replacing the alienated land occupied by native inhabitants.

 

“The company can be given alternative lands in other areas and the natives can be allowed to continue with their daily lives on their existing plots of land,” he said.