Trusan landowners appeal to CM to stop eviction from their land
KUCHING: Several Trusan residents in Limbang are seeking Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg’s intervention after they were served with notice to demolish their houses that their families have been staying for many generations.
According to one of those affected, Sim Joey Thuan, 64 many of the local Trusan residents today are proud fifth or sixth generation descendents of those who first settled there and they will lose a place to stay if the notice is enforced on them.
“Trusan became a part of Sarawak in 1884, the first area in Limbang Division to do so. However, some of the early settlers came to this historical town even before the date and therefore, many ‘Trusanians’ are proud fifth of sixth generation descendents.
“Before the World War Two, Trusan was a thriving centre of trade for the Lun Bawang community from as far as Ba Kelalan. It gradually lost its prominence in the district due to its shallow river mouth. Even the famous Fort Florence had been demolished,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.
“Are Trusan and its people going down the road of oblivion? The people are now in a crisis after being served notice to demolish their houses. Where will they go after living there for generations? Why are the authorities in favour of a company at the expense of the people?”
Sim pointed out that something happened mysteriously between late 1950s and early 1960s as the status of their lands was change from Occupation Ticket to Temporary Occupation License for unknown reasons.
However, he said two lots remain unchanged until this day.
“The question is, why were the various lots built in the same place at the same time treated differently? The people of that time, being simple folk and holding authorities in reverence did not understand the situation or its implications. So they carried on their life oblivious to their loss of rights.”
In fact, Sim said an old man, now deceased, told his son that he gave an officer from the Limbang land office the Occupation Ticket document when the officers turned up and requested for it, adding that the old man did not ask for a reason or even the return of the document.
“It is generally believed that the two lots escaped being changed in status because they were mortgaged to banks at the time.”
He said many are wondering why the authorities are determined to chase away innocent people in the interest of a company.
“Where will they be? Surely, the authorities, in good conscience, allow them to live in a place they have lived for generations, by giving back their lands.”