Kuching, September 5, 2012: Over 2,000 villagers from 17 Iban longhouses in Balai Ringin constuency have expressed regret in casting their votes for Snowdan Lawan of the PRS-BN in the last state election.
He defeated Ibi Uding of PKR by a majority of 2,885 votes. Because of the votes from these villagers, Snowdan obtained 4,145 votes against 1,260 votes secured by Ibi.
Picture: Baru shaking hands with the representatives of the 17 Iban longhouses. Seated at left is Michael Luang.
Michael Luang, speaking to reporters at a press conference today, said:”We supported and voted him 100 %. None of our votes went to the Opposition, clean sweep by Snowdan.”
“We gave him the support because we were hoping him to help us solved whatever problems we would have later.
“Did he visit us when we have dispute with the companies (Memaju Jaya Sdn Bhd and United Teamtrade Sdn Bhd) which have grabbed our land? No, never,” Luang, in a raised voice, said.
He denied that outsiders, like PKR members and supporters and NGOs, have instigated the villagers to cause trouble with the plantation companies.
“They come to help us. We call them to help us, they came,” he said.
Luang said it was the companies and the BN, both outsiders, which have caused chaotic situation in the 17 villages.
“We have been living peacefully all these years until the BN government issued provisional leaves over our NCR land. Who would not get angry when your land is taken away from you?
“I have been living in Kampung Tanah Mawang for 60 years. What about my father and my grandfather, great-grandfather?”
“Surely the lands belong to us, but suddenly, we find ourselves being asked to vacate our lands after the BN government has issued PLs to the two companies.
“Do you know who owned these companies?” he asked the reporters.
Meanwhile,Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian said that Snowdan was making baseless accusation against an Opposition and NGOs, labelling them as outsiders who instigated the villagers for their personal and political agenda.
“I would advise him to look at the matter honestly and tell us why the villagers would be so angry in the first place if they had not been wronged,” he said, adding that the villagers are fighting for their NCR lands and it has nothing to do with politics of any sort.
“It is purely defending the NCR lands which have been in existence for many decades until they are taken by the authorities for oil palm plantation,” he said.
He urged Snowdan to furnish proof that the majority of the villagers are in favour of their NCR lands being issued with PLs by the BN government.
“From the instructions my legal firm has received, the majority of the villagers are against the two companies,” he said. By Sematong Express.
No comments:
Post a Comment