Tambunan forests to be gazetted

TAMBUNAN, January 26 (Daily Express) -- The decision to gazette several forest areas in the district into water catchment area status will go on as planned despite many requests made by the people here to apply for land in the areas involved.

Deputy Chief Minister-cum-Rural Development Minister, Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan, said the Government has no intention to stop the people from applying for a land to be developed but on this particular case, the decision was made to ensure there will be permanent water resources for all.

"If such precautionary measure is not taken from now, definitely our water resources will be disturbed, the water will finish and there will be no more water for all.

"The Government understands that it is hard for the people to accept this but the fact is that prevention is much better than curing," he said.

Pairin, who is Tambunan Assemblyman, said this at the leader-and-people session held for Mukim Monsorulung at Kampung Tikolod here Tuesday.

Thirteen village security and development committee (JKKK) chairmen raised various issues during the meet. Pairin also said that various rural development projects have been successfully implemented in the mukim. For this year, he said there will be projects amounting to RM1.7 million for the 13 JKKK areas.

Earlier, District Officer Thomas Angor assured those people involved in the catchment areas that the Government would still give attention to their interest.

He said if there are titled lands involved in the gazetting of the areas involved into water catchment area then the Government would buy those lands involved.

The people living in Bundu Apin-apin area that was involved in the gazettement of water catchment area has been allocated an area in Kampung Kaingaran for their relocation, he said. Pairin also presented house assistance to each of two registered Hardcore Poor Family Heads, Jalian Unga and Korimpot Imok.

Others present were the heads of State and Federal departments and agencies, Pairin's Political Secretary, Daniel Kinsik, PKR Wilfredoline Jakil and PBRS Tambunan Divisional Chief Cyril Yansalang.