Kampung Abai Mesej programme: Government urged to intervene and resolve issues
Published on: Tuesday, August 27, 2024
By: Winnie Kasmir
The protest outside the Kg Abai Mesej office.
KINABATANGAN: A group of residents and workers from Kampung Abai, here, are urging the Government to intervene and resolve issues related to the village’s Mini Estet Sejahtera (Mesej) programme.
Their dissatisfaction was expressed through a recent protest in front of the Kampung Abai Mesej office, demanding the resolution of several matters that they believe infringe on their rights and interests.
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The protest was participated by Kampung Abai Village Chief Ahmad Mastar, Kampung Abai Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) Chairman Ismail Amit and several former leaders of Sukau.
They claimed that several issues have existed since the establishment of the Kampung Abai Mesej about 10 years ago.
Previously, they attempted to meet with the relevant authorities to discuss matters related to the Mesej Kampung Abai, but these efforts were unsuccessful.
They claimed that those entrusted with implementing the programme to improve the residents’ economy had neglected the interests of all participants.
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According to Ismail, the economic programme has been used as a scapegoat, providing certain parties with opportunities to profit, including through the covert hiring of external and foreign workers.
“The Kampung Abai Mesej programme, which involves approximately 500 acres belonging to the residents of Abai, has failed in terms of planning the residents’ economy as envisioned by the Sabah Rural Development Ministry.
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“In fact, the individual appointed by the Government to represent the programme implementer is suspected of deviating from its original mission, resulting in losses for the participants and villagers,” he said.
Ismail added that according to the agreement, the management should focus on providing housing and living arrangements for workers, a work schedule and a structured wage and payment system.
“Additionally, the Mesej area should be equipped with worker amenities such as toilets, a surau, a hall and facilities for workers’ comfort, including electricity and water supply.
“Facilities for workers on the estate, such as walkways and small bridges, should be established to facilitate estate maintenance tasks like cleaning and fertilising, especially during the monsoon season.
“Moreover, the distribution of dividends and bonuses promised to workers, as has been enjoyed by Mesej in other districts, should be fulfilled.
“Unfortunately, many aspects of the programme have left us, the stakeholders, confused,” he said.
He further claimed that external workers are being recruited, including offering positions such as clerks, drivers and storekeepers to outsiders.
“Many qualified residents of Abai could fill these positions, but the management has never communicated these vacancies.
“When the lorry driver position is given to an outsider, there are often delays in delivering oil palm fruits to nearby mills, resulting in the fruits spoiling and frequently being discarded,” he said.
For the record, Kampung Abai Mesej was established in 2014, involving 500 acres belonging to Kampung Abai residents.
The then Sukau representative, Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman, planned its establishment and encouraged the residents to join the programme, which was being expanded in several areas in Sabah.
Ismail also said after several meetings, the residents were finally willing to hand over the land they had applied for from the Government to be included under the Mesej programme before it was officially launched by the then State Rural Development Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick.
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