A resident of Kampung Togudon, Kota Marudu wants the authorities to take immediate action on certain individuals whom he has accused of abusing a reserve land in the village for their personal interests.
"Approximately five acres of the reserve land now has been fenced up and planted with various kinds of trees as if the land is their private property. Even the cemetery has been encroached and a pig farm built there," said the complainant.
"When we brought this issue to the village chief, there was no action taken and we believe it was because of family ties between the village chief and the individual who is also the former Village Security and Development Committee chairman of Togudon."
The complainant also claimed that the problem had caused the villagers to be unhappy and he hoped the authorities will intervene to solve the problem.
"The Land and Survey Departrnent issued a notice in 2009 to the village chief to immediately stop activities carried out on the land but it was completely ignored. The land is supposed to be a site for villagers to build houses but it has been wrongly used."
He added that the villagers are not happy that the land has benefited only certain individuals and not the entire community.
"I think this injustice should be stopped right now and it is time for the authorities to take serious action," he said.
Actionline was told that the complainant had sent a letter to the District Officer and Assemblyman but no response had been received.
Meanwhile, the Kota Marudu Distict Officer was not available for comment as she was away attending another official matter.
New Sabah Times
Friday, August 5, 2011
Page 16
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