Tenom residents to be given priority in land applications — Radin

TENOM: The government will not arbitrarily declare and gazette an area of forest reserve land as state land, said Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Radin Malleh.

He said this was to protect the interests of future generations and preserve the source for the future of the state.

According to him, the government will ensure that the residents of this area are given priority when applying for Mandalom forest reserve lands that have been proposed as state land.

“I have submitted a list of Mandalom Forest Reserve land applicants provided by Native Chief Representative Taikul Tairus as a representative of the applicant concern to the Chief Minister for consideration and approval.

“The changing status of forest reserve land to state land will only be made by the government when the people do not have suitable land in the area. They can then apply for state land and the government can also divide the lots of land of 10 to 15 acres among the people who do not have land in the area,” he said when opening the Sabah Rubber Industry Board (LIGS) Scheme Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) branch Annual General Meeting in Lagud Sebrang here recently.

Radin said the submission of a proposal for the LIGS road to the Public Works Department (PWD) Sabah had been put forward during the meeting of the District Action Committee here several months ago.

“LIGS said financial constraints were making it difficult to maintain the road, so I suggested that LIGS submit it to the PWD which has a provision for the upgrading of the road.

“But JKR also seemed reluctant to take over the road because it will involve additional expenditure due to the existing provisions being used to maintain other roads in Tenom.

“I hope that consensus is reached by LIGS and PWD immediately for the benefit of the population in this area,” he said.

He said the state government has implemented the measure of forcible acquisition of 200 acres of land owned by Sime Darby for the Melalap new town project. Radin hoped that the people would be patient while waiting for the implementation of the project which will generate socioeconomic activities in Melalap town and the district.

The PBS Vice President urged all party branches to hold meetings more frequently, which can forge closer ties among members of the party in their area.

He said the people, especially members of PBS must observe the political scenario which shows support for all people and not just one particular race that will determine the victory of a political party.