Sabahans, especially the native land owners, have expressed their fears that more and more of their native customary rights (NCR) land are falling into the hands of the outsiders due to the Umno-BN government policies which are in favour of politically-linked companies, said State Reform Party (Star Sabah) chief Jeffrey Kitingan.

“Sabahans especially the natives are increasingly confronted with land problems as land becomes scarce.  The law protecting native customary rights is also increasingly being put to the test.  

“In addition, government policies of the Umno BN government are also less inclined towards the Sabah natives in favour of politically linked companies,” he said in a dialogue with the native villagers of Kg. Malinsau, Ranau.

The villagers are involved in a legal tussle with a West Malaysian company over conflicting claims to the disputed land which is about 1,150 acres in the village.

The larger part of the land is planted with rubber trees by the natives who depend on the land for their livelihood. They have settled in the village for eight generations.

“Armed with the court’s decision, the company accompanied by the police, court officials and employees and foreigners claimed possession of the land by driving out the native villagers and started cutting down their rubber trees with chain saws and heavy machineries. 

“Naturally, the native villagers protested and refused to give in claiming that this was their ancestral land which they have settled for up to 8 generations and have even applied for it.  

“They reinforced this claim by claiming NCR,” he said. 

Native Land Foundation needed

He said that there are also many cases in point of land grabs happening all over Sabah including in Pitas, Telupid, Tongod, Kunak, Sook, Sepulut and Tenom.

Looking at these cases from the point of view of the Land Ordinance, land administration and land policies, the Bingkor assemblyperson said that he would table a motion under the Private Member’s Bill in the coming state legislative assembly meeting.

He would seek an amendment to the land ordinance in order to make certain provisions clearer such as the NCR definition and that the decisions of the director of Lands and Surveys must be appealable.

He would also suggest that a land tribunal  be created as a mechanism to resolve land disputes and that  the conditions in the Native Titles be amended to allow it to be used for commercial and industrial purposes other than for agriculture.

A Native Land Foundation should also be established as a vehicle to assist and safeguard the interests of natives, economically and socially, he said. 

“I have full confidence that the other elected representatives and the Sabah government will support this Bill in the common interest of the people, particularly, the indigenous people of Sabah,” he said.

Related stories

Rafizi vows damning revelation on 1MDB

NFC says it was profitable until 'vicious attacks'

'Websites reporting on Taib graft book attacked'

Tough times lead Media Prima to cut workforce

Minister, is there a hidden agenda in water deal?

NGO crowdsourcing to bite bullet in Audit Report

Isa: Unfair to compare FGV with conglomerates

57k Nepalese workers hired in three months

Not 'illusory bribery' party but 'real bribery' party