Warisan says to look into contract awarding process for harvesting bird’s nests

SUKAU: Parti Warisan Sabah has promised to look into the contract awarding process for the harvesting of bird’s nests in Gomantong Caves to ensure it truly benefits the local people in the area.

Warisan president Shafie Apdal claimed that ever since the BN introduced the tender system in 1997, locals have been deprived of a livelihood that has been providing them with a decent source of income for many generations.

Responding to the pleas of the heirs of the harvesting rights granted by the then North Borneo Chartered Company in 1884, he said he agreed that outsiders should not be given preference over the locals.

Shafie was at a gathering with the people of Sukau in Kampung Suan Lamba earlier yesterday, where he received membership application forms from more than 350 Umno members of seven branches in Batu Putih, Kinabatangan.

On the dissolution of Parliament as well as the Sabah State Assembly yesterday, he said this was what the people had been waiting for more than a year.

He said that the Warisan’s opposition pact with PKR and DAP would contest in all 60 State seats and 26 Parliamentary constituencies, including Labuan.

“Our respective parties have already identified the respective candidates and it shall be announced in due course,” said Shafie.