KAPAYAN Assemblywoman Jannie Lasimbang suggested the Sabah Government establish an Indigenous Land Task Force to resolve land tenure and ownership issues.
She said recommendations from a National Inquiry into Indigenous Land Rights in 2011-2013 by the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) were adopted by the Government but never implemented after more than 10 years.
Jannie said customary land tenure and ownership issues are the biggest, especially within the eight poorest districts in Malaysia that are in Sabah.
“Land is the basis of the economy and survival of the indigenous community. If resolved, it will not only guarantee their wellbeing but with the help of the right government, their economy will increase, allowing them to break free from the cocoon of poverty.
“If we want to strip Sabah of the poorest state in Malaysia title, serious efforts to monitor the delivery of all allocations channelled to the districts of Pitas, Kota Marudu, Beluran, Telupid, Nabawan, Tongod, Kota Belud and Kinabatangan need to be made.
“Focus should be given to the B40 group and the hardcore poor, and not just to industry players or project implementers which only increases the income of the upper class,” she told the State Assembly during her debate on the 2024 Sabah Budget.
She also suggested that the 10-year plan to stop underage marriage adopted by the Government be given serious attention and implemented.
The plan includes legal amendments under the Islamic Family Law and Native Court Enactments and continuous efforts to raise awareness through collaboration between various parties.
She also called for the Government to accelerate activating the committee created to deal with the issuance of subsidiary grants.
“This is so that the grants can be issued within two years as what is being done in Penang,” she said.
On her constituency, she said there are plenty of B40s who are in need of help.
“Therefore, I request that the Housing and Urban Development Board build more low-cost houses for rent or rent-to-own and prioritise those who really need it.
“I also request that trash traps be installed at the six main drains in Kepayan, to circumvent the littering problem, which all leads down the river to Kampung Sedomon. I am told the pipes at Kampung Hungab and Tunoh will be replaced as soon as the allocation gets approval. I hope this becomes a reality…yet there are more deteriorated and burst pipes in villages that need replacing,” she said.
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