2nd June, 2011
KOTA KINABALU: The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) is expected to have its hands full this month when it hears complaints on native land tussles in Sabah in a national inquiry.
It has recorded more than 800 complaints on infringement of native land between 2002 and the first quarter of this year.
In a statement yesterday, Suhakam said it received more than 1,000 such complaints in the country during the period with Sabah recording 834 cases followed by Sarawak with 229 and peninsula, 45 cases.
The inquiry is called to review the cause of the problem and its magnitude as well as ensure that it did not violate human rights.
Suhakam will then put forward recommended measures to the government to solve the problem.
The inquiry in Sabah will be held from June 17 to July 5 in 15 locations throughout the state.
The first consultation will be held in Keningau in relation to cases occurring in Keningau and Tambunan followed by Tenom on June 18.
On June 19, another session will convene in Nabawan and Pensiangan before returning to Keningau on June 20 to hear complaints from Sipitang. The sessions in Keningau will be held at the community centre.
Complaints from Kota Kinabalu, Penampang and Tuaran will be heard at the Dewan Tun Fuad, Penampang on June 22.
This will be followed by cases from Ranau and Kota Belud on June 23 and Papar, Kuala Penyu and Beaufort on June 24. The two sessions will be held in Penampang.
Suhakam will convene the Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas and Paitan sessions on June 26, 27, and 28 respectively at the Kota Marudu community centre.
From the northern region, the land inquiry will move to the East Coast with a stop in Tawau to hear complaints from the district and neighbouring Semporna on June 30.
Complainants from Lahad Datu and Kunak will have theirs heard on July 1. The inquiry for the four areas will be held at the Tawau community centre.
Complaints from Sandakan, Kinabatangan and Beluran will be heard at the Industrial Training Institute hall in Sandakan from July 3-5.
Suhakam reminded complainants to bring documents to prove their case such as land titles or land applications, pictures, maps and related correspondence.
Further details of the inquiry can be made either by sending an email to inkuirinasional@ suhakam.org.my or logging on to www. suhakam.org.my.
They can also follow developments on social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter.
