KOTA KINABALU: Reports by some media portals that Sabah Forest Industry’s (‘SFI’) workers are being evicted by the State Government are completely false and totally without basis.
A statement released the Lands and Surveys Department stated that following the State Government’s acquisition of SFI’s alienated land, it is standard procedure for the State Government to deliver to SFI the government’s notice of acquisitions as well as to take possession and control over the acquired land.
Upon the second publication of the Gazette under Section 3 of the Land Acquisition
Ordinance, Cap 69 the affected landowners or any interested parties are notified and
served notice of the acquisition.
The buildings and structures thereon shall, free of any encumbrances vest in the
Government and shall be deemed to have been surrendered by the lawful owner or
legal interest thereof.
Therefore, vacant possession is deemed to have been delivered to the State Government.
Further, SFI’s workers and general staff who are currently living on premises following
the State Government’s acquisition, may remain where they are and will be eventually
re-employed, if they wish, as part of the State Government’s sustainable forest timber
development scheme which, is the purpose of the acquisition in accordance with Section 2 of the Land Acquisition Ordinance.
During the same period, the issue of outstanding salaries will also be addressed and
resolved fairly and equitably in a manner that reflects SFI’s workers’ valuable skills
and contribution to the State’s economy.-pr/BNN
