After 60 years, the land is theirs

29 August 2024

By AVV

PENAMPANG: In many rural communities, individuals and families have long claimed parcels of land for cultivation, often waiting years for official recognition or resolution of their claims.

One such village is Kg Togudon Penampang where about 500 land applicants are waiting for the issuance of their land grant.

The shocker is they have been living there for a hundred years and waited more than 60 years to own the land. For all of them it was a long wait, that started from their grandparents and their great grand parents.

Julianus Thomas, a teacher and resident of the village shared, the village's history began in the 1920s when brave souls from Tambunan embarked on a long and arduous journey to sell their wares at Inobong Tamu.

This journey was no small feat; it required them to travel through challenging terrain, often staying overnight along the way. They built humble huts on the steep hillsides, drawing sustenance from the nearby river and the rich bounty of the jungle.

Over time, these resilient individuals decided to put down roots in this beautiful yet challenging landscape.

They cleared their chosen parcels of land and planted food crops, nurturing not only their families but also their dreams for a better future.

However, the land was never officially theirs. As awareness of land ownership grew, their children bravely approached the Land and Survey Department to submit an application for land grants.

It was disheartening to learn that their requests were rejected, as the land was deemed too steep for ownership.

Julianus shared this story, reflecting on the struggles and aspirations of their community with a heavy heart, underscoring the deep connection they have to the land they nurtured.

But their wait ended today after Penampang Member of Parliament Datuk Ewon Benedick launched the Land Surveying in Kg Togudon.

He had helped them under the Sabah Native Land Surveying Service Programme (PANTAS) which enable the application to be approved.

The land about 2000 acres will be parcelled to 500 applicants. The land grants should be ready by the end of the year.

"We are proud to have a leader who have the people's welfare close to his heart," Julianus who acted as the Master of Ceremony (MC) of the event.

Now the villagers can go about their farming activities without any apprehension.