Bintulu Member of Parliament, Dato' Seri Tiong King Sing said no problem could be solved by such confrontational stand and yet could cause the landowners to land into deeper trouble.

"We should not have this type of attitude (forcing government to bow to the demands). The government never intend to threaten the rakyat and we only work to find the ultimate solution for the problems," he added.

He was speaking to officiate a "Leaders With People" ceremony at Rh Bana, in Sebauh sub-district on Friday evening.

The issue came as one of his points after learning that several landowners in the sub-district had made indirect challenges to the Bintulu Resident and District Offices (RDOs).

From information gathered, Tiong said the landowners had dared RDOs' officers to come to their longhouse and declared their properties being state lands.

He believed that certain opposition parties and non-governmental organisations were involved to fan negative emotions among the landowners leading to such challenge.

On a constructive note, the Member of Parliament had instructed officers from his People's Service Centre to investigate the issue.

By going to the ground, he believed that the grouses of the landowners could be properly identified and RDOs would only be called to the longhouse if the situation warranted it.

"Even if the RDOs officers had agreed to meet the people at their longhouse, I must remind the longhouse folks that you should keep your emotions at bay during the negotiation talks," he added.

The police would also be called up to join in the talks should there be any information received of possible existence of individuals trying to lead the event into "undesirable end."

At the same time, he also warned any opposition party or NGOs involved to stay away from the negotiations if they had no interest to see the problems being solved.

"Community leaders should also play an important role here... by staying neutral in exercising their jurisdictions. 

Any appointed leaders found involved in fanning ill-feelings towards the government are not qualified to lead the people and should step down," he added.

On a different issue, Tiong was also saddened to note a move by residents of a longhouse in the sub-district who had turned to showing their support to an opposition party after their demand was not able to be fulfilled by the government.

He had found out that the residents made the move after their demands for additional compensations were turned down by a land developer.

"I had learnt that when they agreed to accept the first compensations, they did not say they are not happy with the amount but after finishing the money, they claimed that they were not compensated," he added.

He hoped the longhouse folks should think rationally of their action and should not indiscriminately blamed the government or government-appointed organisations.

"As if to say when you have problems, you start looking for BN (Barisan Nasional). But when you achieved better life, you forgot BN and start looking for problems again," he added.

At the function organised by the Special Affairs Department (JASA), Tiong also announced a grant of RM15,000 to partially assist residents of Rh Dana to obtain internal home wirings for their homes.

Kemena State Assemblyman, Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Bintulu Deputy Resident, Bujang Budin, JASA Northern Zone Chief, Morshidi Tali, Suai/Niah Iban Leader, Temenggong Wilson Atong Limpin, TR Bana Japang and heads of several government departments were present at the ceremony.