Kota Kinabalu: Perhaps inspired by Sabah Law Society (SLS) constitutional 40 per cent revenue claim against the federal government, unhappy villagers from Sonsogon and Tongod sued the State Government for non-development over several decades leading to poverty hardship which is against human rights and the Federal Constitution.
The villagers said both districts have been long branded among the poorest in Malaysia. They said the Federal Constitution protects every Sabahan, no matter how remote their village or how forgotten their community.”They also said their district were represented for decades by powerful leaders, yet left trapped in cycles of deprivation.
They cited children in Pitas rowing across rivers for schooling; students in Kota Belud crossing decayed bridges; teachers in Nabawan walking 18 hours to reach their schools; youths climbing trees for mobile reception; families migrating out of desperation because there is simply no work in their hometowns.
“These are not isolated cases. They are the consequences of decisions—and failures to act—by those entrusted to safeguard our constitutional rights and the State’s resources.
“When entire districts remain trapped in extreme poverty, without infrastructure basic to dignity and safety, despite decades of promises and substantial federal allocations, the breach of those obligations becomes undeniable,” they said.
“We have brought these suits not for political gain, nor out of anger, but out of necessity. We refuse to allow another 62 years to pass with our villages unseen, our families unheard, and our rights ignored.
“We seek accountability. We seek justice. We seek recognition that the people of the interior are not footnotes to state governance—they are citizens entitled to equal protection, equal respect, and equal opportunity. Today, we stand together to say: we will not be silent anymore.”
