KOTA KINABALU – A conflict between the villagers of Kg Rangalau Lama in Kiulu, Sabah, and a tour operator over a road connecting two parts of the village, is to be resolved soon.
Kiulu assemblyman who is also state tourism, culture and environment assistant minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said that he is seeking a win-win solution so that the tour operator can continue business without affecting the villagers.
“The interest of the village folks must be considered in terms of amenities, like roads. I am confident that there will be a solution. I will exhaust all avenues,” he told reporters during a recent visit to Kg Rangalau Lama.
The conflict arose about two years ago when a tour company, Pacific Urban Development Sdn Bhd, started developing an eco-farm in the middle of Kg Rangalau Lama. The farm involves 17ha of land.
However, a road that connects two parts of Kg Rangalau Lama is also part of the said land.
According to Kg Rangalau Lama village development and safety committee chairman Suin Tungging, the village is divided into two sides. One side has about 400 villagers, and the other side has over 200 villagers.
The two sides are connected by a road, but it has become the only entrance for the tour company’s eco-farm – which is currently still under development.
Tungging said that the entrance to the road had been closed.
“People from both sides need this road. The clinic for pregnant women and children as well as a primary school is on one side of the village.
“Before this, it took about 20 minutes for the children to reach school. Now it takes more than an hour because we need to go all the way to Tamparuli,” Tungging said.
He added that farmers also stopped selling their produce at the roadside huts.
Tungging said he has learnt that the tour company will charge an access fee at the road entrance once the eco farm is opened. He called this unreasonable for villagers and students.
“So we hope that the relevant departments, especially the Kiulu assemblyman could help us solve our problem,” he said.
Bangkuai, meanwhile, said the matter is being discussed with several departments including the Tuaran District Council and the tour operator to find a win-win solution for all parties.
For now, they are discussing developing an alternative road near the area.
Despite the conflict, Bangkuai said the eco-farm is seen as a positive development for Kiulu as it is expected to generate about 40 jobs for the locals and boost Kiulu’s tourism sector.
“The tourism sector in Kiulu is growing and this project will benefit the locals. This eco farm is the first of its kind in Kiulu and it is large.
“I have told the tour operator that they should hire only locals (Kiulu folk) for the farm’s operation,” he said.
It was learned that the eco-farm is now about 70% complete. – May 14, 2024