Some 3,000 villagers in Kampung Gersik, Labuan have expressed fear of an impending eviction after being served a notice by the Sabah Islamic Religious Council (Muis).
Villagers’ representative Omar Abbang said that they received the notice six months ago, but attempts to engage Muis and political leaders over the eviction have failed.
"We have written to Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor and tried to contact Labuan MP Suhaili Abdul Rahman over this urgent matter. We have received no reply and we are fearful," he told Malaysiakini.
In the notice, dated May 22, sighted by Malaysiakini, the residents of two lots in Kampung Gersik totalling a land area of 14ha were told that the land they were staying on was registered to Muis and they must vacate the premises within six months.
"Today is Nov 22, it's been six months and no one is replying to us. There are 3,000 villagers in around 500 homes here. What will happen to us? Where are we to go?" Omar lamented.
He said that his group had waited patiently for mediation and was told unofficially by a Muis official that there was nothing to worry about as they were just cleaning up technical issues (kemaskan).
Given the lack of an official response, the villagers have turned to the media at the eleventh hour to highlight their predicament.
"We have stayed in this area for generations. Most of us here are fisherfolk, labourers and welfare recipients. I would say that 95 percent of us hold Malaysian citizenship, so why is no one responding?" Omar asked.
Some of the villagers were also recipients of aid from the Federal Territories Islamic Affairs Council, he added.
Malaysiakini is attempting to contact Muis for a response to this matter. - Mkini
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