BN Government seizing lands

KOTA KINABALU, July 29, 2012: The ruling Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) Government have given away government lands in the city to private companies from Kuala Lumpur and planning to seize kampung lands near University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) as well, said Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP).

SAPP President Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee said lands belonged to Sabah Railway Department (SRD) at Kepayan, Sabah Ports Authority (SPA) here and half of the bus terminal land opposite Wawasan Plaza have been given to private companies.

He said lands where Kampung Lembaga Padi sits at the border of Likas and Inanam have also been given away to private company.

He said lands where the Courthouse, State Library and the Women and Children Health Clinic sits at city centre have been changed from government lands to commercial lands.

"Lands at left and right sides along Jalan Sulaman from University Malaysia Sabah up to Sepanggar where many Kampung currently sits had their status changed to commercial purposes as stated under the Kota Kinabalu Draft Local Plan 2012-2020.

"BN would carry on their plan to seize those kampung lands if they win the forthcoming 13th general election. The only way to put a stop on land grabbing by these greedy BN leaders is to vote them out and vote in SAPP," he said speaking at the distribution of Hari Raya Aidilfitri goodies and breaking of fast at Kampung Chenderamata II, Likas, here.

Present were SAPP Advisor Datuk Mohd Noor Mansoor, Deputy President cum Sepanggar Member of Parliament Datuk Eric Majimbun and Deputy President cum Likas Assemblyman Datuk Liew Teck Chan.

Also present were SAPP Vice President Jaafar Ismail, Wanita Chief cum Luyang Assemblywoman Melanie Chia, organising chairman Mulkaseh Renda and Awang Talip Awang Bagul.

Yong who is also former Sabah Chief Minister said kampung lands or lands belonged to the government have never been seized or had its status changed during his tenure of office between 1996 and 1998.

According to him, in his short period as Chief Minister, many settlements were opened like Kampung Chenderamata II, which was used to be a former squatter colony, Kampung Warisan in Inanam and Taman Keramat near Kian Kok Middle School.

He said record shows that a State Government under the leadership of SAPP could provide better living places to the people.

Yong promised that many more settlements to provide decent homes to the people would be opened statewide once SAPP take over the helm of Sabah Government.

According to him, lands measuring 293 acres belonging to SPA, 53 acres belonging to SRD and two acres of the four acres where the bus terminal sits have now falls into the hands of private companies.

Meanwhile, Eric said sugar and cooking oils became scarce during Ramadan (fasting month) and the ruling BN government seems did not bother.

He said the scarcity of essential goods like sugar and cooking oils did happened during previous festive seasons but not as bad as this year.

"In previous Ramadan, each person were limited to two kilogrammes of sugar but now one person was limited to one kilogramme only," he said.

He said BN is currently in power and could address the problem, however, nothing has been done.