Association to address land, road issues
KOTA KINABALU: A group of residents from Kota Marudu and Pitas have established an association to resolve the issue of land and the lack of a proper road transport system.
Its president, Jaibah Makaum, said they formed Persatuan Etnik Sonsogon Sabah (Pesosa) in October to act as a suitable medium to voice issues pertaining to the Dusun Sonsogon community who are densely situated in Kota Marudu and Pitas.
“We believe that through the association, the voice of the Dusun Sonsogon people will be heard more clearly and the problems we have faced for years will be brought to the attention of the government through the proper channels.
“I also hope that we are able to defend the rights and development of our Dusun Sonsogon community who have long resided in the two areas,” said Jaibah.
As for land-related issues, he said up to 90 per cent of the Dusun Sonsogon natives living in Kota Marudu and Pitas still had not obtained land grants till now, even though their family had lived there since their ancestors’ time.
Pesosa therefore hopes the government will be more attentive towards issuing land grants to the natives in the two areas.
“The absence of these grants makes it hard for residents to defend their customary lands from being terrorised by outsiders,” said Jaidah, adding that in 1979, a few village areas were jeopardised when a company was given a grant near their homes.
Jaidah also said the Dusun Sonsogon community in Kota Marudu and Pitas faced the issue of below par road transport system, which made it difficult for them to travel with their produce to the nearby town.
“Till today, there are still people who use red dirt paths and logging routes to travel to the nearest town.
“The villages that need good roads are Kampung (Kg) Sonsogon Magandai, Kg Lingabungan 2, Kg Samparita, Kg Bumbong 1, Kg Soniton Ulu, Kg Lingabungan 1 and Kg Maliau-Bambangan Ulu,” he said.
Apart from road construction, the people also hope for a concrete bridge to connect Kg Bengkoka-Kg Pinampak-Kg Maliau, to ease travel for five other villages across Sungai Bengkoka, Pitas.
“The application for the construction of the bridge has been tendered five years ago, but there is still no sign of the bridge being built.
“Seeing as there is a primary school across the river, the bridge will really help villagers in terms of safety for those who live on the other side of it,” said Jaidah.
To further strengthen the voice of Pesosa, Jaibah welcomed the Dusun Sonsogon community to join the association.
He said since its establishment, he said the committee had conducted several roadshows in villages to obtain feedback and participation from the villagers.
He said they had already organised a few programmes to introduce the association and its objective to the community, especially to the Dusun Sonsogon folk in Kota Marudu and Pitas.
As for the objectives of Pesosa, he said the association aimed to raise the socio-economic level of its members, strengthen familial and community ties, organise cultural activities to preserve the traditions of the ethnic group, maintain unity amongst Sabahan ethnic groups, demand balance in terms of position appointments in politics and uphold land ownership rights.
Nevertheless, said Jaibah, the association would support any effort spearheaded by the government so long as it would benefit the rakyat.
Jaibah is assisted by vice presidents Jimis Tamal and Jalim Matawai, secretary Solimon Majan, vice secretary Jose Mamadan and committee members Mojinkin Mapaham, Lawis Mazail, Kalawit Kusingan, Isman Mumin, Ilob Matagi and Petrus Tinggoi, with Koyo Mindong as advisor.