Scenic Labian Cluster Moves On

By Norfarhana Ahya Arip LAHAD DATU (Sabah, Malaysia), April 24 (Bernama) -- The Labian cluster of villages near Felda Sahabat that stole the limelight recently following the intrusion of militants from southern Philippines, is actually a scenic paradise. Prior to the landing of the militants in Feb 12 this year, the area's beautiful panorama and its friendly community remained exclusive to a few outsiders and employees of the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda). The Labian cluster is made up of Kampung Tanjung Labian, Kampung Tanjung Batu and Kampung Labian Darat. Located close to the shoreline, these villages provide an alluring panorama and tranquility of white sandy beaches, blue waters, typical village houses and a windy atmosphere. Interestingly, this part of the coastal area is the earliest in the country to see the rising sun, as early as 5.30 a.m. and the sunrise is visible from the houses. With the militants flushed out, life is returning back to normal at the villages near Felda Sahabat about 130 kilometres from the Lahad Datu town. This writer who was there recently to see how the locals were getting on after the dark chapter was mesmerised with the Labian cluster's natural splendour and its friendly community. The stand-off between Malaysian security forces and the militants who wanted to claim Sabah at the behest of the self proclaimed Sultan of Sulu, Jamalul Kiram III, ended with the deaths of 10 security personnel and about 60 intruders. And in the operations to flush out the intruders hundreds of locals were displaced. A POLITE COMMUNITY Like most Sabahans, the people here are polite and friendly, and they greet outsiders with their 'trademark' smile. The villagers though scarred by the intrusion episode could still afford to smile, and they maintain their courtesy with the visitors who drop by. Members of the media were highly appreciative of the local community's hospitality despite the fact that they were still recovering from a dark episode in the nation's annals. Life is simple here, where collective effort is a way of life here. The sight of a woman, probably in her forties, accompanying her son to school who was dressed casually and his books in a plastic bag caught the attention and emotions of this writer. When approached the genial Siti Rogayah Mahatmah, gave a big smile and immediately started narrating her family's difficult experience through the ordeal. The media officer from the Ministry of Defence's Corporate Communication Unit Lt. Mohd Hafiz Mohamed Sabilan shared that so far during his one month tour of duty at the cluster, the villagers have been very cooperative with the security forces. "They are friendly with the security forces and this makes it easy for us to maintain security and obtain information," he said. VILLAGERS WANT TO MOVE AHEAD Though many villagers lost their home and livelihood following the intrusion, the villagers want to forget the past and move on with lives. As for Noriana Jamil, 28, her family lost their home as it was razed during the 'Ops Daulat' to weed out the militants and for the time being her family has been put up at a temporary shelter, a kindergarten in Tanjung Labian, which shelters 91 people now. Nonetheless, the affected locals could take comfort from the fact that local leaders and the members of the public have been extending assistance and moral support, she said. Noriana's family want to get over the episode and were hopeful of finding another avenue to eke out a living. "I'm determined to get on with life for the sake of my children," she said. As for housewife Siti Kharijah Ujaman, 55, each time she recalls the fear that she went through it creates anxiety and affects her daily chores. "I like to stay in the village, I don't want to leave the place... I consider everyone living here as my own family," she said. THANKS FOR THE SOLDIERS The sacrifices of the security forces have been etched in the nation's annals, and they remain in the hearts of the villagers. The villagers admit that they would never be able to payback the sacrifices of the fallen security personnel who have left behind families. They could only thank and pray for them. Now, the villagers are back on their feet and have been getting on with their livelihood as farmers and fishermen. Arip Abdul Talip, 50, noted that the presence of security personnel in the cluster provided some sense of confidence on the level of safety here. The security forces not only secured the place but also helped the locals to shift, clean the area and bring the sick to hospital. THE 13TH GENERAL ELECTION "It is safe!" this is the assurance provided by the Armed Forces Chief Gen. Zulkifeli Mohd Zain when asked on the electoral process that would take place in the village during the 13th General Election on May 5. The same assurance was echoed by the Election Commission's Deputy chairman Wan Ahmad Wan Omar who visited the polling centres at the cluster and noted his satisfaction with regard to the preparations for GE13. The Labian cluster has 671 voters. A villager at Tanjung Labian Nasarallah Mohammad, 50, though busy cleaning up and in the process of shifting, is ready to exercise his rights as a voter without fear and get on with life. Lahat Datu will be seeing a four-corner contest among Aliandu Endil (SAPP- Sabah Progressive Party), Mohd Yusof Apdal (BN), Hamid Awong@Abdul Hamid Awong (PKR) and Ariffin Hamid@Alfa Hamid. Sabah is one of the two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. -- BERNAMA