MP intervenes in Labuan village eviction, secures three-month extension

The eviction process in Kampung Gersik, Labuan which began on Nov 23 has now been halted and villagers are being given until Feb 28, 2024, to find new homes before the eviction process continues.

Labuan MP Suhaili Abdul Rahman told Malaysiakini this after meeting with the villagers who were served a notice by the Majlis Ugama Islam Sabah (Muis).

“When I met the villagers, I told them that I managed to convince Muis to give them until the end of February next year,” said Suhaili, who claims that he had not been invited to any meetings between Muis and the villagers until now.

In a notice dated May 22 sighted by Malaysiakini, the residents of two lots in Kampung Gersik, totalling a land area of 14ha, were told the land they are staying on is registered to Muis and they must vacate the premises within six months.

Suhaili said that while the residents have six months to prepare for the eviction, they still have not found alternative dwellings in the meantime.

‘Win-win solution’

He also disputed a number of claims by the villagers, questioning the fact that there were 3,000 people staying in the area. According to Suhaili, he felt that many of the residents were not legal Malaysian citizens but those who had entered the country on the IMM13 social visit pass.

The IMM13 passes are meant for Filipino refugees who entered Sabah without valid international travel documents from late 1972 till some time in 1984.

“Since the villagers are claiming to be Malaysian citizens, I have asked them to produce proof. As long as they really are Malaysians, I can tell you that they will not be evicted without alternate dwellings.

“Even if they are not Malaysians, we are not going to deny them shelter. This is a long-standing issue of illegal settlement on Muis’ land,” said Suhaili.

Suhaili (in yellow) with Omar (in red) and other community leaders.

He also said that only a small fraction of homes were demolished in the eviction action that was carried out on Thursday.

Chairperson of the villagers’ action committee Omar Abbang said that the villagers were grateful that Suhaili had intervened and hoped that a solution could be reached that was ‘win-win’ for all parties concerned, including Muis and the Labuan Port Authority.

He repeated his claim that a vast majority of the residents were Malaysians, even if some were of Indonesian or Filipino origin. He also sent Malaysiakini a photograph of some residents brandishing their documents while posing along Suhaili.

"Many are still staying here as their homes are intact. As for those who lost their homes in the eviction action, they have to stay with relatives," said Omar. - Mkini