Set up tribunal to prevent loss of customary land, says Sabah PH

 

Locals in Kota Belud claim that 364ha of grazing reserve belonging to more than 1,000 villagers has been transferred to a non-Bumiputera company without their knowledge. (Bernama pic)

KOTA KINABALU: The state government has been urged to expedite the establishment of a tribunal to prevent “tanah adat” or native customary rights (NCR) lands from falling into the hands of companies without the consent of the villagers.

Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH) secretary Mustapha Sakmud made the call after the alleged conversion of a grazing reserve, which was previously NCR land, to a country lease title.

The land in rural Kuala Pintasan in the Kota Belud district was then transferred to a non-Bumiputera company.

More than 1,000 residents in Kampung Labuan in the district had in May this year called on chief minister Hajiji Noor to halt a proposed large-scale project on the land.

Sabah Pakatan Harapan secretary Mustapha Sakmud.

“This is just one example of how fragile the management of customary land is in the state,” he said in a statement today.

Mustapha, who is also state PKR deputy chief, claimed there are other land cases in Kota Belud which he considered to be “time bombs” and warranted attention by such a tribunal.

These customary lands are in Kampung Taburan, Kampung Bangkahak and Kampung Rosok as well as villages in the Kadamaian state constituency, he added.

Kampung Labuan Residents Association chairman Rusidi Merjin had previously claimed that the 364ha grazing reserve belonging to more than 1,000 villagers was transferred to a non-Bumiputera company without their knowledge.

Rusidi, who lodged a police report, said the reserve had been given to the villagers on Feb 2, 1956 for livestock activities.

Mustapha, who is also the Kota Belud PKR chief, said he had spoken to Hajiji on the matter when the Sabah PH leadership met up with the chief minister on Monday.

“The chief minister is aware of the matter and has already instructed the land and survey department to make a detailed investigation,” he said, urging all parties to remain calm and not take any hasty action.

He said the PH leadership was concerned over the customary land issue and had included it as one of the chapters in its Sabah Reform Agenda proposal paper presented to Hajiji.

Deputy chief minister Jeffrey Kitingan had also suggested that a Native Land Foundation be established to look after customary land in the state, Mustapha said.

“I hope the state government pays serious attention to this issue and ensures the people of Sabah are protected,” he added. - FMT