Ranau land dispute: Win-Win solution laudedc
Published on: Thursday, October 02, 2014
KOTA KINABALU: Api-Api Assemblywoman Christina Liew welcomed the move for a win-win solution in efforts to resolve the Ranau land dispute amicably."I would say it is a good start. However, we need to have Plan B if the company concerned does not agree to the villagers' request to alienate 400 acres under the Native Customary Rights (NCR) claims."Given the numerous land disputes in Sabah over the years until today, I reiterate my call for a Sabah Native Land Dispute Resolution Centre to serve as a platform for the aggrieved parties and relevant authorities to seek a permanent solution," she said.ADVERTISEMENT At the heart of the land dispute, following the issuance of a title to the land in Ulu Sugut, is the site of three villages, namely Kg Malinsou, Kg Wayan and Kg Sinurai, where the villagers were claiming NCR ownership over the land.Liew was commenting on a news report on Wednesday quoting Land and Survey Department Director Datuk Osman Jamal that a discussion between Kundasang Assemblyman Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam, Ranau District Officer Faimin Kamin and the company, Syarikat Worthy Palms, would be held to discuss the request to alienate another 400 acres under the Native Customary Rights (NCR) claims."We want to find a win-win solution and resolve the matter amicably," Osman was quoted as saying.Liew also expressed surprise over Ranau MP Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin's statement that he would meet with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak over the dispute.ADVERTISEMENT "I read about it yesterday (Tuesday). Very strange because land matters are within the jurisdiction of the State Government. Shouldn't he be saying that he will bring the matter to the attention of the Sabah Chief Minister?" she said.Answering a reporter who asked whether she thought Dr Ewon was being insincere, Liew replied: "I don't think so. There is a certain reason for him to say that. We don't know what is behind it."
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At this juncture, she called for a roundtable discussion, saying all parties concerned, including the affected villagers and elected representatives, should be summoned to sit down together with the relevant authorities and try to resolve the dispute once and for all."Don't just take away the people's land and leave them in the lurch. Land is the 'heart and soul' of their livelihood. You are depriving them of a decent living. What do you expect them to do?Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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"They can't seek legal recourse because they can't afford it," she pointed out.Liew repeated her call for the setting up of a Sabah Native Land Dispute Resolution Centre, similar to the dispute resolution or mediation centre in Australia.