Government urged to be transparent on plan for Sabah Forestry Industry workers
Published on: Wednesday, October 05, 2022
During the State Government’s administration under Warisan led by Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, the salaries of SFI workers continued to be paid and SFI’s recovery plan was developed without sacrificing SFI-owned land.
Kota Kinabalu: Parti Warisan Sipitang Chief Abdul Aziz Taip called on the State Government to be transparent on the re-employment of Sabah Forestry Industry (SFI) employees and payment of back wages owed to them.In a statement Tuesday, he said the GRS-BN State Government must clarify the process and how the impacted SFI workers are promised re-employment under sustainable forest timber development scheme as indicated by State Lands and Surveys Director Datuk Bernard Liew in an earlier statement.
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He said this in response to Bernard’s statement that it is not true that SFI employees are being evicted by the State Government.
“How does the GRS-BN Government intend to address the issue of unpaid salaries to the employees? The impacted workers are Sabahans,” said Aziz.
He said an engagement session between the GRS-BN government and the SFI employees should be held immediately, especially regarding the Government’s plan for the SFI land takeover and job security for the workers involved.
“We want a guarantee from them, that the SFI workers can continue to live in SFI housing until they are finally guaranteed jobs,” he said.
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He also sought clarification from the State Government whether the 200,000 hectares or 500,000 acres of SFI land in Sipitang have been taken over by the State Government or vice versa.
“Is it true that the forest area in question has been awarded logging concession to several companies? If true, is the company owned by Sabahans or vice versa? And how long is the concession period granted to the company in question?
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He said during the State Government’s administration under Warisan led by Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, the salaries of SFI workers continued to be paid and SFI’s recovery plan was developed without sacrificing SFI-owned land.
“However, the efforts and actions were not continued by the State Government under GRS-BN administration,” he said.
He also said they were disappointed with Sipitang MP Datuk Yamani Hafez Musa and Sindumin Assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob who did not seem to be earnestly fighting for the SFI employees.
“As elected representatives of the people, they should defend and fight for the people regardless of religion, race and political affiliations,” he said.
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