21/03/2013 (Bernama) - Not only did they flee their villages during the incursion by terrorists from southern Philippines, the residents of Tanjung Labian are now getting restless as they may also incur losses because they cannot harvest their oil palm plantations.

Most of the villagers who depend on palm oil as the main source of income, will be on the losing end as they cannot harvest the ripe oil palm fruits as Tanjung Labian is still in the 'red zone'.

Tanjung Labian village chief Mahmud Mallang said the oil palms were ready for harvest but they could not do so because of the threat posed by the remnants of the terrorists who were believed to be still in the area.

"Many villagers who depend on oil palm stand to lose their source of income," he told Bernama when met at Dewan Fajar Harapan.

Mahmud, 72, said, other than the settlers, some of the residents of Tanjung Labian who worked as fishermen, also did not have a source of income as they feared going out to sea.

"The action of the terrorists, had not only disrupted the peace in the country, especially in Sabah, but also adversely affected the lives of the villagers, some of whom have been displaced," he said.

The 3,500-strong residents of Tanjung Labian were among those who were evacuated when the village was classified a 'red zone' under 'Operation Daulat', following the intrusion by the terrorists in Kampung Tanduo since Feb 12.

According to Mahmud, the villagers started to evacuate on March 2, after they were alerted of the presence of terrorists in the Tanjung Batu area.

Those who were moved to temporary shelters are now putting up at four halls, namely, Fajar Harapan, Embara Budy, Gemala Pura and Cenderawasi.