KOTA KINABALU – The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS)-led state government has come under fire for handing over 177 land titles to federal agencies.
The opposition and NGOs questioned Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor over the reasons for giving out state land to the federal government.
Warisan leader Samuel Wong said it was shocking to learn about the handover.
“Deserving poor rural villagers have waited for generations, yet been neglected.
“Why is it that the natives in the rural areas are neglected for generations?"
“Yet after coming to power in less than six months, Hajiji hands over 2,000 hectares of land to his compatriots in KL,” he said.
Yesterday, Hajiji handed over 177 land titles involving 1,933.09ha to several federal agencies.
The land is to be used to construct schools, hospitals, police stations, fire stations and other necessary facilities.
The Warisan division leader also drew comparison between Hajiji and former Sabah chief Minister and Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, saying the latter had handed over 16,000 hectares of land to the indigenous communities in Sabah during his time as chief minister.
He said Hajiji’s actions were the opposite of Sarawak which are now pursuing the return of the land handed over to the federal government.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Agreement 1963 Activist Zainnal Ajamain also expressed the same sentiment, saying the federal departments should return the land back to the state.
He said land matters are one of the 17 issues already resolved related to the MA63 negotiations between Sabah, Sarawak and Putrajaya, and therefore, the land should remain under state ownership.
“Article 83 of the Federal Constitution should not be applied to Sabah, because Malaya uses the National Land Code, a uniform law which covers the whole of Malaya but excludes Sabah and Sarawak.
They should use the Sabah Land Ordinance,” he said.
Local NGO, Sabah Dayak Organisation said Hajiji should not give land away, but instead fight for the return of Sabah land which was already under the hands of the federal government.
He cited Labuan and also Camp Paradise, the military installation in Kota Belud, near Kota Kinabalu as among them.
“Hajiji Noor should not give land titles to federal agencies, but to the rightful natives, local NGOs and local enterprises.
“On the 2,000 hectares given out to several federal departments including for schools and clinics, while may be necessary, we hope the hectarage for each infrastructure project has been carefully studied in order for it to be absolutely necessary,” said its leader, Cleftus Spine Mojingol.
He said the GRS government should expedite the issuance of NT land for the indigenous people of Sabah, instead of giving away state land to Putrajaya.
“We urge the State Government to fully uphold and strengthen Sabah Land Ordinance, and ensure state land is guarded for the Natives, first and foremost,” he said.
The GRS should be mindful of becoming the next betrayer of Sabahans' trust and should instead prioritise their (Sabahans) need for land,” he said. – The Vibes, February 19, 2021
