Sabah villagers await proposed demolition, offered relocation deal

The demolition of homes and a school for stateless persons in Teluk Layang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, has been put off, according to sources on the ground.

A source from Borneo Komrad, a civil society organisation behind the Sekolah Alternatif school for stateless children, said local authorities initially warned that the demolition would be carried out today.

“But as of 4.30pm, the houses and school remain standing,” the source told Malaysiakini.

When contacted, stateless activist Wong Kueng Hui said he was similarly informed by villagers from Teluk Layang that no demolition will be carried out today.

He said he was told that, earlier today, a representative believed to be from a political party in the state government, invited villagers to view a location they were offered to relocate to.

However, he noted that the area is not yet suitable for habitation as the land needs to be levelled before any construction can begin.

“The representative told the villagers that if there is a new settlement (built) here and if they agree, they have to pay RM3,000 (per family) with a down payment of RM500 first,” Wong (above) told Malaysiakini.

Yesterday, various stateless rights organisations brought up the issue of an alleged plan by the state government to demolish the Teluk Layang settlement, where the school is located.

In response, Muda in a statement called out the government’s harsh measures towards Teluk Layang villagers and urged for the demolition to be halted.

Meanwhile, Borneo Komrad activist Mukmin Nantang in an Instagram post chided Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek who was expected to attend a human rights convention on Wednesday (Nov 13), questioning her moral devotion and silence on the school’s proposed demolition.

“As the government and minister of education, what is your stance (on the school’s demolition)?” he asked.

‘Don’t play politics’

The Teluk Layang settlement, located 16km from Kota Kinabalu, is an area under the Sepanggar parliamentary constituency.

Speaking to Malaysiakini in Parliament today, Sepanggar MP Mustapha Sakmud defended Fadhlina, saying it was unfair to demonise the government over this issue as it always provided a platform to discuss the matter.

Mustapha, who is also the higher education deputy minister, urged all parties to avoid politicising the matter as it pertains to two separate issues - the education of stateless children and the location of the school that was not gazetted.

“If we take the route of playing politics by exposing this, criticising that, it doesn’t solve the problem.

“Given that, it’s unfair to criticise YB Fadhlina so harshly,” he said.

Mustapha said he would support a six-month “truce period” for all stakeholders including the villagers, activists, and the government to sit down and find a middle ground.

He said this would help the relocation efforts and advised parties to stop using the school as leverage for the illegal settlement.

“What we are doing is seeking alternative solutions to this problem because we do not want these children to miss out on basic education. That is our top priority,” he said.

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