Published on: Thursday, January 10, 2013 |
Kuala Penyu: The Land and Survey Department has come in for rare praise by the opposition for rejecting an application for 800 acres here and in Menumbok by four companies, including one which is Selangor-registered.
Apart from the Selangor-based Sejuta Jalin Sdn Bhd, it also involved Diamond Aquaculture Sdn Bhd, Vantage Care Sdn Bhd and Pancawang Teguh Sdn Bhd.
The matter was disclosed by Land and Survey Department Director Datuk Jamal Osman, after he received a memorandum on objections from the people here and the sub-district from a group headed by former Kuala Penyu elected representative Datuk John Ghani at the District Office, Wednesday.
Beaufort Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Deputy Branch Chief Taufeck Haji Ruchi as well as other leaders of the opposition and Pertubuhan Pakatan Perubahan Sabah (PPPS) were also among about 200 people who gathered for a peaceful demonstration there before the memorandum handing-over was done, witnessed by Kuala Penyu Assemblyman John Teo and District Officer Edmond Teo.
When met after the memorandum hand-over, John thanked the Department especially the Director for being proactive in tackling the issue and cancelling the application.
"We thank you, this issue involves the interests of the people and also the environment, as the land applied is a sea area that will also affect the fishermen's livelihood," he said, adding it was not that the issue has been politicised because it truly concerned the people's interests.
"It is done on the basis of championing the rights of the people of Sabah particularly those in the rural area, where previously we have witnessed in some districts lands that were supposed to be given to people were given to large corporations," he said.
Beaufort MP and PPPS Chairman Datuk Lajim Haji Ukin also thanked the Department for being sensitive and caring to the people in the area.
"People are smart. They know how to differentiate between things that are played up or politicised and that which truly concern the rights and interests of the people," he said.
