Pintasan assemblyman, Datuk Fairuz Renndan.
KOTA KINABALU: After decades of uncertainty, five out of six villages in Pintasan have finally secured legal ownership of their land, marking a significant victory for local residents.
Pintasan assemblyman Datuk Fairuz Renndan said the issue began when land, originally designated as reserved areas for grazing fields and bird sanctuaries, was allocated to three external companies instead of the villagers who had lived there for over 40 years.
“This left many villagers vulnerable to eviction without compensation because they had no official land titles,” he said.
The affected villages include Kampung Pantai Mas, Liang, Tamau, Kayu Putih, Pintasan, and Tawadakan.
Determined to resolve the issue, Fairuz formed an implementation committee and engaged former district land officers to investigate why residents had never been able to apply for ownership.
“The findings confirmed that despite over 15,000 voters residing in these villages, land ownership remained out of reach,” he said.
Between 2020 and 2022, Fairuz worked to revoke the reserved land status, consulting experts and state leaders, including Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong, and former State Attorney-General Datuk Nor Asiah Mohd Yusof.
With additional support from then Tuan Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sabah, Tun Juhar Mahiruddin, the government approved the revocation in 2022, allowing the distribution of land titles to begin in the following year.
“Five villages have now been given land titles. Only one remains, and we expect to finalise it by May or June,” Fairuz said.
Following this success, he has also extended similar efforts to the Kadazandusun Murut (KDM) communities, where villagers face comparable land ownership struggles.
“These communities have lived on the land for decades, but ownership was granted to Government-Linked Companies (GLCs) or private entities instead. We hope to settle the matter as soon as possible,” he said.
Land conflicts in Pintasan date back to the mid-1990s, with some disputes escalating into violent altercations.
While legal battles continue for some cases, Fairuz remains focused on securing land rights for as many villagers as possible.
Alongside resolving land issues, Pintasan is emerging as a key tourism destination, with Pulau Mantanani’s crystal-clear waters and diverse accommodations drawing visitors.
Fairuz highlighted the island’s appeal and encouraged tourists to try the local delicacy, salted fish known as ‘liking,’ at Pantai Mas.
Beyond tourism, he revealed that the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) will be expanded to Kota Belud, including part of Pintasan, creating new economic opportunities for the local community.
Several major companies have shown interest in investing in Pintasan, including Gardenia, which is currently assessing suitable locations for a factory.
However, Fairuz stressed that land ownership issues must be resolved before the project can proceed.
“I hope the KKIP in Pintasan does not become a ‘land bank’ left idle for 20 to 30 years. We want it to be developed quickly for the benefit of the local community,” he said.
He also stressed the need for swift development, warning against delays, adding that with its strategic coastal and riverine location, Pintasan holds strong growth potential, with security measures and major events in the pipeline.
