Fri Sep 20 11:41:00 UTC 2024: ## Sabah Residents Fight Eviction, Plead with Chief Minister for Fair Treatment

**KOTA KINABALU, Sabah** – Over 200 families in Kampung Sembulan Tengah are facing eviction from their homes, igniting a heated dispute with the Sabah government. Residents, who have lived on the land for generations, are calling on Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor to uphold his promise of not evicting them and to engage in fair negotiations regarding their ancestral land.

The residents received a sudden two-week eviction notice from Kota Kinabalu City Hall and the Land and Survey Department (LSD), leaving them in a state of shock and uncertainty. The eviction, they argue, could displace thousands of people and is a cruel act considering the lack of prior discussion or negotiation with the government.

Kampung Sembulan Tengah Residents and Welfare Association chairman Osman Omar Khan described the situation as a betrayal of trust, stating that the government had previously canceled the Sembulan Urban Renewal Scheme, which initially targeted their land for redevelopment. He expressed confusion about the recent eviction notice, emphasizing that it contradicts the Chief Minister’s previous assurances and promises of compensation.

The residents are particularly concerned about the lack of clarity surrounding the promised compensation for their land. While the Sabah cabinet approved a revised version of the Sembulan Urban Renewal Scheme, which allows landowners to stay after development, the details of the compensation remain unclear.

Osman highlighted the historical significance of their land, emphasizing that the original families of Sembulan Lama had occupied the 3.5-acre plot since World War II when they ran out of space. He expressed their desire to see their village officially gazetted and granted a communal land title.

“We want the government to acknowledge that this land belongs to the people. We agree to development, but it should be a win-win situation between the government and landowners,” Osman said.

The residents are expected to meet with government officials on Saturday to discuss their grievances and seek a solution. While they understand the need for development, they expressed their strong preference to remain in Kampung Sembulan Tengah, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of their homes.

“There is no place like home,” Osman said.

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