Sook villagers accuse Land Dept of bias

SOOK - About 2,000 villagers in Kg Biah Skim have gathered to call the Department of Lands and Survey to solve the issue of encroachment of land in the village.

Chairman of the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) there, Julian Lingkiron, 51, said villagers here are very disappointed with the Land and Survey Department when their decisions are often siding with outside parties.

He said, the villagers of Biah Skim who were applying for a Land Application title at the Department of Lands and Survey were barred from applying on the grounds that the lands in Biah Skim should be firstly divided.

“The villagers understand and respect the decision of the Department of Land and Survey, but when outsiders apply for LA grants in the area, it appears easy for them to get it.

"Genuine residents of this village have already been living in Biah Skim since 1967 through the New Placement Plan during the administration of the Honourable Tun Abdul Razak.

"When the villagers complained to the Department of Lands and Survey recently, we found, as many as 70 plots of land that were measured by the department turned out to be in favor of outsiders," he said.

In addition, Julian said he had evidence that the Department of Lands and Survey also asks for money of RM350 from any residents if they want to apply to any land.

Meanwhile Native Chief Representative (WKAN) Undan Busau, 69 urge the Land and Survey Department to review the constitution of the Land Law Scheme.

He also appealed to higher authority like Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman to intervene in resolving the issue so that the fate of the villagers, especially the next generation, will be taken care of.

Meanwhile a villager, Ansanit Andimang 59 years, said villagers had sent all the letters of protest to the Department of Lands and Survey and a copy to the. Chief Minister, MP Pensiangan, Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, Sook Assemblyman Datuk Ellron Alfred Angin, Director of Lands and Surveys Department, the Public Complaints Bureau Chief Minister, Keningau District Officer and Village Files.

Therefore he hoped that the authorities can take appropriate action to resolve the problem, thus defending the lives of the villagers actually have a legitimate right.

By Clarence George Dol (DE today)