One of the demolished structures.
KOTA KINABALU: Just over a decade ago, the name Sitti Bandora Mahalil made news in all media outlets and major news channels.
She was the widow of Sarjan Mejar Abdul Azis Sarikon, one of the six security forces killed during an ambush in Pulau Simunul Semporna, following the Tanduo intrusion in Lahad Datu in 2013.
She was the face of strength, an encouragement for the other women who lost their husbands to the horrendous attack as she fought back tears to raise her five children as a single mother.
Today, Sitti is back in the limelight, but for another reason. Her family home on the island of Bodhgaya in Semporna district is at risk of being demolished and fruit trees that were fruiting were being chopped down.
Sitti on her boat looking at her family home.
Clarifying her stand first and foremost, she said she is not in any way trying to fight the authorities or disobey any constitutional laws, but since they have been promised customary rights to the lands they dwell on, she wants justice.
Sitti said the authorities arrived on Tuesday (Dec 17) to destroy their home which had been there for over 50 years, and refurbished in recent years after her father passed away.
“They wanted to demolish what was left of our house because, in the first demolition exercise, parts of this structure had been torn down,” she claimed.
It is understood that some 50 structures have been demolished, either partially or completely around the area.
When contacted, Semporna OCPD Supt Mohd Sabri Zainol and district officer Alexander Liew said the operation is led by Sabah Parks.
“Police are only there to maintain calm and safety,” said Supt Sabri.
Sabah Parks director Dr Maklarin Lakim said the area involved was under the Tun Sakaran Marine Park, and that the operation was under the Semporna Security Committee.
He said the demolition was necessary for the safety of tourists and there were security risks that have been identified.
He also said that only new structures from ‘newcomers’ to the village were destroyed while original houses were not torn down.
On this explanation, Sitti then asked if it was true that only new structures from newcomers were destroyed, why did the authorities insist on coming to their decades-old family home for that purpose?
Apart from SM Abdul Azis, the other five killed in Pulau Simunul were DSP Michael Anak Padel; Asst Comm Ibrahim Lebar; SM Baharin Hamit; Sarjan Salam Togiran and Kpl Mohd Azrul Tukiran.
