Villagers Resist: Demolition Delayed in Malaysia’s Kg Jimpangah

KOTA KINABALU: The destruction of houses in Kg Jimpangah, Beaufort, has been rescheduled for this coming Sunday (May 26). This postponement occurred because residents declined to vacate their residences, leading officials and the property owner to put off the legally mandated removal process.

The demolition process, starting at 10 am on Wednesday (May 21), led to partial destruction of four homes until operations were stopped because multiple occupants still stayed inside.

The Secretary-General of Consumers Front of Sabah (CFOS), Hashima Hasbullah, who has been helping the villagers since February, mentioned that the landowner consented to a five-day extension for the leftover inhabitants to move out.

A number of individuals flatly declined to depart. The property owner ultimately consented to delay the teardown till Sunday to provide them with extra time.

The villagers have been informed that Sunday is the last day for them to move out, so I believe by Monday the demolition will resume," she said on Thursday (May 22).

The circumstances in Kampung Jimpangah have garnered significant notice and public condemnation following the circulation of videos on social media depicting the forced removal. The clips show residents weeping as bulldozers arrived on site.

Hashima mentioned that the demolition took place following a court order secured by the landowner; however, the Land and Survey Department (JTU) dispatched a letter asking for an extension. Additionally, the Chief Minister’s Office released another correspondence backing the appeal.

Even so, she stated that the ultimate choice rests solely with the property owner.

"Despite having those letters, the authority to postpone or annul the eviction completely rests with the landowner since it falls under judicial proceedings," she explained.

Hashima added that villagers only found out earlier this year that the land was no longer theirs when shown legal documents in court.

"These families submitted an application to have the land declared a village way back in 1991. It wasn’t until this year, during a court proceeding, that they found out their request had been denied," she explained.

In 1911, the British North Borneo Company initially held the 13.2-acre plot before it was handed over to a rubber firm. The forefathers of these villagers had resided and labored in the area throughout the colonial period.

"After Malaysia achieved independence and the British left, they were allowed to remain on the land. No one contested it for decades. That’s why they were shocked to learn someone else had obtained title over it," said Hashima.

The land is classified as Country Lease (CL), complicating matters for those seeking native title or village gazettement.

Overall, 53 houses along with approximately 200 inhabitants have been impacted by the displacement order that was formally issued on May 7th.

Hashima mentioned that she had taken several villagers to meet Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor on May 15, after which he directed the Land and Survey Department to seek a more suitable solution.

Upon being reached for comment, Land and Survey Department director Datuk Bernard Liew verified that he was instructed to take action.

"I received instructions from the Cabinet on Wednesday (May 21) to come up with a solution for the problem. Nevertheless, I am unable to reveal any details until after I have briefed both the Chief Minister and the Cabinet," he stated.

The government has not yet disclosed its upcoming steps, while residents are demanding a pause in the relocation procedures until an agreement is achieved.