PENAMPANG:
Veteran Kadazan composer and singer Justin Stimol has urged the Kadazandusuns and Muruts (KDMs) to vote Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) to power to replace the ruling Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN) Government Speaking at a meet-the- people gathering in support of PKR Kepayan candidate Datuk Chau Chin Tang at Kampung Hungab here, Justin said the well being of the KDMs would be properly and effectively guaranteed under a new Government that will be formed by the PKR. He felt that the KDMs have been sidelined, and neglected in the present Government due to the inability of the leaders from the KDM communities to protect their interests and rights related to land ownership under the Native Customary Right (NCR) and appointment of native chiefs, Justin, who contested under Pasok in Penampang in 1982 losing only by a slim majority against the then Berjaya candidate, the late Datuk Clarence Mansul, cited the large tracts of land being grabbed by big companies and the burning of crops and houses of the natives to substantiate his call for the people to replace the BN. “A win by the PKR would be most meaningful for the Sabahans and is the only chance for us to regain our rights that had been surrendered or taken over by the Federal Government through previous State Governments,” he said. Justin deeply regretted the Kampung Maang issue as a classic example of the lethargic performance of KDM leaders. Kampung Maang was initially earmarked as a resettlement area for the Sri Tanjung illegal squatters who were affected by the expansion of the Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
