17/1/07 (Daily Express News) NABAWAN  - Some 500 residents representing seven kampungs have voiced their objections against the acquisition of their land - including their school, cemetery, kampungs and titled lands - by a private company for oil palm and rubber cultivation.

A group of 10 community leaders led by Kampung Sabibingkol village development and security committee (JKKK) Chairman Andua Ampanatan and a friend James Angiras have submitted an official complaint to the Natural Resources Secretary in the Chief Minister's Department against the acquisition by Syarikat Palawijaya.

They asked if the acquisition was in accordance with legal provisions, considering that most of their properties had land titles.

The affected area, covering 5,000 acres, involves seven kampungs lining Sungai Tagol. These are Kampung Sabinait, Sumolombom, Sigatal, Sabibingkol, Kuyah, Binanding and Sikait.

They claimed the total area in question had been developed for agricultural activities. They also claimed that the company concerned had ordered the residents to leave its "property" which it had successfully acquired.

Andua recalled that Nabawan Assemblyman Datuk Bobbey Suan, who is Assistant Agriculture and Food Industries Minister had assured that the issue could be settled amicably between the villagers and the company.

Andua said the issue had been questioned since 1999 without a positive solution. Kampung Sabibingkol has 140 residents, followed by Sibinait (60), Sumolombom (60), Sigatal (120), Kuyah (80), Binanding (200) and Sikait (50).

They hope the State Government would intervene for amicable solution in the interest of the people.