MIRI: Two villages in Miri have called for state government intervention after their residents received notices from a private development company to vacate their homes.
The affected villagers of Kampung Pujut Tanjung Batu and Kampung Padang Kerbau are worried about their future.
PAS Sarawak has been busy deploying its representatives to the two villages located just 2km from Miri City centre to meet the worried folk.
PAS Sarawak deputy state commissioner Jofri Jaraiee, who is also PAS Miri chairman, said the villagers had appealed to the state government to intervene to stop the eviction.
“This case was highlighted a month ago to local politicians but until now the eviction notice has not been withdrawn. In fact, the villagers said the developer had cordoned off the area to stop farming activities,” he said.
“The villagers said they had 1,000 acres of farm here. They want the state government to step in.”
Jofri said the villagers belonged to the Jati Miriek Malay clans who are the original settlers of Miri.
“The Jati Miriek Malays have been living here long before the discovery of oil by the expatriates more than a century ago. They have been living in settlements from Miri to the border with Brunei,” he said.
“They worked as fishermen, farmers and labourers and later on as oil workers for Shell when oil was discovered. Now they have received notices from a developer to vacate their homes within two weeks.”Jofri said more than 300 villagers had been told to leave.
“The villagers complained that they are being pushed out by the developments in Miri. For years they have applied to the state authorities for land rights since their ancestors have been living here for so long.
“Until now they have not received any answer from the state and now the developer is forcing them out,” Jofri said.
The state government should intervene because the affected villagers were poor people and they had no means to buy land or houses, he said, adding that PAS Sarawak would look into their plights and see what the party could do for the affected folk.-The Star
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