KOTA KINABALU – A Sabah assemblyman has mooted to the state government the introduction of hunting season in forest reserves.
Nabawan assemblyman Datuk Abdul Ghani Mohamed Yassin said the state Forestry Department should do a study on the matter as hunting is a traditional practice among indigenous communities.
“I would like to propose the state to consider coming out with a specific time or hunting season. Other nations like the United States are using this approach (hunting season).
“As the elected representative of Nabawan, I have been asked constantly about this matter. “Entry into forest reserves is prohibited, but hunting is a traditional practice," he said during the state budget debate at the Sabah assembly here today.
Earlier, Ghani also proposed allowing some idle land reserves to be developed, saying that doing so could create economic opportunities and, subsequently, job openings.
He also sought the state government’s clarification on the status of communal grants in Nabawan, especially on whether the land has been returned to the state government.
“I also want the state government to clarify the status of communal grants where agropolitan activities have been introduced before, (and on) whether the communal status remains or otherwise,” he said.
The communal grant was established during the Barisan Nasional era but was abolished during the Warisan-led state government in 2018 by replacing it with individual land titles.
It was part of Warisan’s manifesto in the 14th general election.
The individual land titles were introduced to resolve the overlapping and claim issues.
A total of 96 communal grants were handed over to 13,789 recipients from 271 villages in 15 districts in Sabah, involving land measuring 61,620.76ha since it was introduced by the previous government in 2010. – The Vibes, November 28, 2022
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