Kg Tanduo residents now live in peace, comfort four years on

LAHAD DATU: It has been four years since the armed intrusion by Sulu terrorists at Kampung Tanduo here and the residents in the nearby areas can now live comfortably with peace of mind.

The government has taken several initiatives to ensure better livelihood for the residents such as repairing damaged houses, rebuilding new homes and setting up security posts under the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom).

A check by Bernama in Kampung Tanjung Labian, located about 140 kilometres from Lahad Datu and five kilometres from Kampung Tanduo, recently revealed that the residents could now move on with their lives but they would never forget the deadly incident.

On March 1, 2013, clashes erupted between the Malaysian security forces and the armed intruders from the Southern Philippines, killing 10 members of the security forces and 73 terrorists.

The 200 gunmen were sent by a self-proclaimed Sulu Sultan Jamaluddin Kiram III, who sought to ‘reclaim’ Sabah as part of his ancestral homeland, several days earlier on several boats. They landed in Kampung Tanduo and nearby villages including Kampung Tanjung Labian.

Mahmud Mallang, 74, said he would never forget the dark incident which saw the country’s sovereignty at stake as residents in the surrounding areas were living in fear and confusion.

However, the Kampung Tanjung Labian headman was now feeling grateful for the better life, thanks to the government’s help in rebuilding about 70 houses under the Home Assistance Programme for houses that were damaged due to the incident, and repairing 120 homes.

“The government’s concern did not stop there when the villagers also enjoy the solar power system.

“Prior to this, the village received limited electricity supply via generators but now the residents can enjoy electricity for 24 hours,” he said.

Meanwhile, a Kampung Tinagian resident, Ajis Linggam, in his 50s, hoped that the government would continue to give the best services to the community including ensuring the country’s security.

He said in addition to a military camp in Kampung Tanduo, the existence of several security posts under ESSCom in the Labian archipelago could regain confidence among the villagers in the area.

“The doubt on security matters will always be there upon hearing rumours spread by certain irresponsible quarters. However, we are confident that such an incursion will not recur with the presence of the security posts,” he said.

Echoing the same sentiment was a Kampung Tanjung Batu resident, Noorhani Sicotti, 45, who said the availability of security posts had enabled the residents to move on with their lives just like before.

The implementation of various initiatives by the government including the curfew would allow any movement at sea being monitored by the security forces, she said.

Noorhani also said the residents were now free to move about and perform their routines.