Tiong said this during his longhouse visit to Tubau area yesterday after receiving numerous complaints over the suspected encroachment of an oil palm estate developer into their ancestral land that claimed by two longhouses include Rh. David formerly known as Rh. Manggah.

The local folks told the MP that the developer had approached the headman for the consent over the alienation of the aforesaid farming area.

The developer had offered them a compensation scheme of RM 60.00 per hectare, however, it was refused by the headman by saying that “How are we going to survive with that RM60 of money” they further added.

The company also offered the headman compensation of “Pemali Menua” as second alternative.

They also produced sketched map of the farming land, hoping that the MP would assist them in the matter.

Tiong pledged to assist them by first to discuss the matter with the State Assemblyman of the constituency as land is under the jurisdiction of the State’s government.  

Nevertheless, he also advised all the affected landowner to furnish him with all the relevant documents.

“Should it be proven that the land status is State land, I do hope the claimants will co-operate with the developer to come out with a win-win development scheme”

Tiong also urged the developer to respect the rights of the natives,  should the status of the land being proven otherwise. 

During these 2 days visit started yesterday, Tiong had visited a total of  32longhouses at the Tubau and Jepak areas and listened to the peoples’ opinion, complaints over the local issues, applications for the development in infrastructure, education and agriculture matter.END.