By Yussof J. Imbang
TONGOD: There is a political radical movement in the Tongod district that is actively involved in public confidence to hate the existence of a cement factory in Kampung Kawayoi, here.
According to the Sabah People’s Youth Movement (People’s Ideas) Kuamut, Willy Frous Darinsok, the left-wing group is actively influencing the public to thwart the establishment of a factory that is currently under construction.
He said former Kuamut People’s Representative Datuk Johnny Intang was a mentor responsible for leading the malicious mastermind.
He said Johnny, who is currently lobbying as a candidate for a political party ahead of the 17th State General Election (PRN), is using Modius Negative Operations to make the public conspire with his wishes.
“We understand that his actions have instilled hatred for the public driven by jealousy of the cement factory inspired by current representatives of the people, Datuk Masiung Banah.
“The public, especially those living near the factory industrial zone, is reminded to be careful with this political group that is wise to poison the minds of the people,” Darinsok said.
The RM1.2 billion cement plant, whichfers jobs to more than 1,000 workers, will build roads from Kampung Kayawoi involving several villages to the main road in Kampung Matiku, Nabawan.
Meanwhile, electricity and water supply involving residents will be built simultaneously with telecommunications towers after the Department of Environment (DOE) approval.
Meanwhile, community activist and former teacher Kim Linepas described Johnny’s actions to prevent the cement industry as if to raise the sustenance of the residents near the cement factory.
Linepas, who lives in Kampung Inarad, in the cement factory zone, stressed that the former representative’s agenda is against the wishes of the locals.
“We have long been waiting for the existence of the people’s economic project, at least our children’s work, and even the KSMPung people have a retail business opportunity when the plant is fully operational.
“At the same time, residents also enjoy the infrastructure, such as roads, electricity, water and the internet, that the plant will build.”
According to Linepas, nowadays many of his villagers have worked with the contractor to build the factory site.
A resident of Kampung Penangah in the Industrial Zone of the Cement Factory, Muariffidin Chua, said Johnny’s agenda underestimated the state government’s project as if to pat water in the tray was finally cut into its own face.
He said the thinkers of the state government and investors were not so stupid as to build a factory in rural areas except after making a mature plan first.
“It is not wrong for him to lobby to be a candidate with any political party, but
Do not spread slander; supposedly there is illegal logging in the factory industrial zone, and the factory investor has withdrawn.
“How can you be a candidate in the early days and have been good at lying and slander?” he said.
According to Muariffidin, Johnny and his gathering could make complaints with the police or forestry department if there was an illegal logging in the cement factory industrial zone.
He urged the former representative of the people not to lie and slander; instead, he (Johnny) was challenged to appear in the election court.
