Sabah Land Department Urged To Act Against Intruding Company

KOTA MARUDU, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- Kota Marudu member of parliament Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili has urged the state Land and Survey Department to act against a company which has intruded on and bulldozed land belonging to villagers, here.

Ongkili, who visited the area covering Kampung Soniton Ulu, Kampung Lingkobungan 1 and Kampung Bombong 1 in Kota Marudu, said the native customary rights land had mature crops including rubber.

However, the same land is also allegedly approved to a private company for development.

Ongkili, who is Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, said the company had bulldozed the land and destroyed the crops to make way for an oil palm plantation.

"The land has been toiled for years by about 150 families. However, it has been intruded by the company which claims it has been given approval to develop 1,768 acres.

"I call on the Land and Survey Department to take the necessary action as the case has been reported to it one year ago when surveying was being done. However, no action has been taken," said Ongkili, who listened to the affected villagers voicing out their grievances.

He said developers should consider the livelihood and welfare of villagers and farmers instead of being ruthless and only thinking about making profits.

"I hope this problem will be resolved soon and that the villagers should not have to make any sacrifice on what is their rightful claim," he said.