Musa (second left) presenting Raya packets to orphans with Mohd. Yusof (fourth left), Suhaili (third left) and Mohammad (left) during the EsscomHari Raya celebration at Lahad Datu Marine Police Base yesterday.
LAHAD DATU: The Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) will soon conduct census in two villages here, Kampung Mangkalinau and Kampung BDC.
Its director-general, Datuk Mohammad Mentek, said a meeting will be held on September 5 to discuss matters relating to the number of houses and residents in the two villages.
“The census aims to get more information on safety and the demographics of the villages to further facilitate the resettlement process,” he said, when met at the EsscomHari Raya open house at the district Marine Base here yesterday. The event was also attended by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.
Mohammad said although there are 131 water villages with 136,000 residents in Sabah, not all villages will be relocated.
He said only villages with potential of security threat will be relocated, adding that villagers from nine villages in Mukim Simunul will be relocated to 837 units at Bubul Lama People Housing project.
“We have also identified a suitable site for another People Housing project in Bugaya after discussion with the Semporna district officer to cover the remaining residents of the Mukim Simunul if the existing house is not enough. We will also discuss with the National Housing Department for implementation of the people’s housing project so that it could be streamlined with the proposed relocation of the water villages,” he said.
In the meantime, Mohammad reminded the people, especially Mukim Simunul villagers, to be extra careful as there are individuals claiming to be appointed by Esscom to register their names for relocation with RM20 fees. He said Esscomhas never appointed any individuals or parties to be intermediaries for the relocation process.
“We have referred this matter Semporna district officer and Semporna police chief and hoped the people will not be deceived by these individuals,” he added.
Meanwhile, about 100 children received ‘Duit Raya’ during the event that was also attended by Lahad Datu assemblyman, Datuk Mohd. Yusof Apdal and Tungku Assemblyman, Datuk Mohd Suhaili Said and Esscomofficials.