9/4/07 (Daily Express, Sabah)  -  Keningau: More than 200 acres of oil palm were destroyed in a fire believed started by an unknown person, here, last month.

Seven plantation owners led by Taunek Simbad lodged a report at the police station here on March 5.

Taunek said the affected owners were Sylvester Marindal (15 acres/300 trees), Ianur Marindal (15ac/400), Lungita Kadam (15/700), Sarina Marindal (15/250), Juhaidi Marindal (15/300), Alin Marindal (15/400) and Zack Marindal (15/400).

The destroyed trees were between one and three years old.

A report was also lodged with the Lands and Surveys Department for the latter to investigate the lands that have already been applied.

Taunek said they also requested the police to investigate the possibility of incident involving a certain person because the fire had caused losses not less than RM60,000 a month.

Sook PKR, Vincent Lee, claimed the fire could have been a result from a misunderstanding in a "land grabbing" case that erupted into revenge.

He urged the villagers not to take matters into their own hands but to let the law settle it.

Meanwhile, the Fire and Rescue Department advised the people to be extra careful during the dry period as well as to avoid conducting open burning.