By Luke Rintod of FMT
KENINGAU: An open recreational area meant for residents in a low-cost housing project here has “magically” turned into a settlement overnight for about 1,000 illegal Filipinos and Indonesian immigrants.
To make matters worse, Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) poles were allegedly put up at night to “supply” power to this illegal settlement, when thousands of other poor Sabah native kampungs are still living by kerosene lamps.
Opposition State Reform Party (STAR) Sabah deputy chairman, Nicholas James Guntobon, said there were also allegations that Liawan Umno assemblyman Sairin Karno was seen visiting the area and was the reason behind the quick connection of utilities.
“This is all disturbing. My office is being bombarded by disturbing reports and pictures from concerned locals on the squatters being erected just one kilometre from town.
“This issue is a hot talk in Keningau and is set to spark outrage across Sabah, which is already embroiled with issues related to the large presence of illegal immigrants and MyKads being given to them and them being registered as voters ahead of a looming general election.
“It’s also disturbing to hear reports that Sairin has visited the mostly Suluk and Bugis settlement.
“Now we want our assemblyman (Sairin) to clarify on these allegations in order for him to quash such rumours, as it does not help at all,” he said.
Natives waiting since 1963
Guntobon said he himself had visited the site and was shocked to see the electricity polls and hear the immigrants calling the illegal settlement “Indah Permai”.
“Could these be the people coming out or branching out from Sepanggar which is notorious for illegal immigrants and squatters but with Umno flags flying all over the place?” he asked.
He also queried how the now federal-controlled SESB could swiftly provide electricity to these houses and the illegal immigrants.
“Many kampungs in Keningau had been applying for electricity since 1963 but to no avail but here an illegal settlement is being pampered by the BN government almost in no time.
“The area these immigrants now occupied is an open space that should be used by the Keningau Rumah Murah residents for recreation.
“It should never be turned into a residential area, what more for illegal immigrants,” he said.
Guntobon added that some of the residents in the low-cost housing and nearby areas are now worried about their children’s safety and their properties.
“Some of the residents have stated their willingness to confront the authority in order to defend their rights. Isn’t this worrying?
“I cannot imagine this government is still keeping its ears and eyes shut to Sabahans’ cries for justice. Must blood be shed to be heard?” he asked.
Free ICs
Guntobon urged leaders who had “not sold their souls” to rally against such wrongdoings.
“They have become emboldened because we are too lenient and accommodating, and because they have both open and tactic support from Umno-led Barisan Nasional politicians.
“There was even an allegation that someone with clout here [Keningau] was instructing selected ketua kampung to help in Projek IC for those just arrived ‘neighbours’.
“I hope Chief Minister Musa Aman and Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein could feel our heartbeat on such disturbing issues…” Guntobon said.
Liawan state constituency is a Dusun majority seat with substantial Muslim voters.
In recent weeks, retiring Land and Survey director, Osman Jamal, who is also president of the United Sabah Bugis Association, was said to be eyeing Liawan in the coming general election.
Boot out all these disordered bns politicians. O how evil can they become by freely allowing these pti,to destroy North Borneo;these peoples come here because in their own country,they are rebels, fighting their own Government.I hope all those conspirators who allow these people to walk into North Borneo thus destroying the genuine Sabahans will together with their family members received all the evils& wickedness that these pti have brought & introduced to North Borneo for generations.
ReplyDeleteBut the learned Huguan Siou pairin and all other KDM leaders such as Dompok and Kurup are with UMNO and BN all along.. So what say you Mr Guntobon ?
ReplyDeleteLawanlah Sairin
Cilakak UMNO BN PBS UPKO PBRS
ReplyDeletethere's no point if we the native only talking,talking ,talking,talking but coming this general election we still vote barisan nasional the malayan regime.we the native especially the the young generation must change our mindset,change the umno.because the don't belongs here sabah.what they want from us sabah is our oil AND GAS.BUT WHY SABAHAN DIDN'T SEE THAT.OR THEY PRETEND BLINDNESS.....OR WHATEVER?
DeleteEDUCATED YOUNG GENERATION OF SABAHAN MUST I REPEAT MUST EXPLAIN TO THE OLD GENERATION.BECAUSE OLD FOLKS EASY TO BE CHEATED BY UMNO REGIME.THEY RECEIVE RM500. THEY SAYS GOVERMENT GOOD, WITHOUT KNOWING WHERE THE MONEY COME FROM IF THE UMNO SO DAMMED GOOOD WHY ,WHY MANY SABAHAN ARE STILL JOBLESS?
NAJIB SAYS 1 MALAYSIA WHAT IS THAT MEAN TO SABAHAN IS MEANINGLESS.LOOK AT OUR ROAD IN SABAH ,COMPARE TO THEY ROAD IN MALAYA THEY ROAD SOOOO GREAT OURS SO,O,O,O, POOR IS THAT YOU CALL 1 MALAYSIA or 1 malingsia.wakeup all sabahan folk.this coming GE VOTEOUT UNITED MALAY NO OTAK from our country vote uba bring back our independence that we celebrate on 31.8.1963 sabah merdeka sepanjang masa.ketahuilah sabah adalah sebuah negara..negara......negara ........negara bukannya negeri ke12 dalam malaya.