The weather partly cloudy, it’s predicted there will be rain in that afternoon, but it was so hot, the temperature is around 33 degrees Celsius as we move towards Pitas from Kota Kinabalu. This is my second visit to Pitas, and this time will stay much longer than my previous visit and give me more opportunities to explore the villages, meet, interact and also discuss with many people. This trip has opened my eyes to the complex and poignant issues surrounding unequal development and ongoing struggles.
Nestled on the Bengkoka Peninsular district in Pitas is home to vibrant indigenous communities who have lived in harmony with their land for generations. However, modern development and industrial pressures have brought about significant challenges, especially concerning their ancestral territories. Here, the indigenous communities are battling to reclaim their customary lands amidst the shadows of unequal development. This blog is a story of my experiences, the intricate web of struggles surrounding customary land rights, and the glaring disparities in development within Pitas, that are reshaping the lives of its residents.
A legacy under siege
Pitas is renowned for its natural beauty and cultural richness. As I traveled through the region, I was captivated by the forests, rivers, and the simple yet profound lifestyle of the local communities. For generations, the indigenous communities of Pitas– the Rungus, Tombonuo, and Bajau – have a deep connection to their land. These territories are not just patches of earth; they’re repositories of culture, identity, and livelihoods. However, the encroachment of industrialization, characterized by sprawling plantations and failed government ventures, has threatened this age-old legacy. The relentless expansion of industrial tree plantations has pushed indigenous communities to the brink, displacing families and eroding the very fabric of their existence.
Promises are good to be true: Tales of two realities
As bulldozers clear forests and roads snake through landscapes, the promise of development that local people want looms large over Pitas. “Their promises are good to be true” one pregnant lady told me. “They (refers to SAFODA/ Sabah Forestry Development Authority) promised to give us house, land, company shares, job that provide sustainable income, and return the land back after the first harvest. Instead of return our land back, now some companies came and want to manage the land”. “This land is our legacy” one elder told me. “It’s where our ancestors are buried and where our children should grow up. But now, it’s slipping away from us.” “We couldn’t renew our license for selling our palm oil even though we are now planting them on our land. The renewal process is hindered because our land still overlaps with the plantation authority’s gazette.” one village head told me. Land Authorization (LA) is necessary for license renewal. However, LA will not be issued if the land falls under overlapping claim. Beneath the veneer of “development” lies a stark reality of unequal development. While the plantations flourish and infrastructure projects dot the horizon, the benefits remain elusive for many locals.
In Pitas, the divide between promise and reality is palpable. While some families find employment in the plantations and access to basic amenities, others are left grappling with the harsh realities of marginalization and poverty. The disparity is not just economic but also societal, sowing seeds of discontent and fueling tensions within communities.
The plantation authority asked the villagers to leave from their territory, which is for the villagers that territory is their customary land. In June 2017, the coalition of 20 villages (G20) brought this case to the Sabah Sarawak Kota Kinabalu High Court. After several hearings, in September, 2017 the court ruled in favor of the G20 and that the plantation authority could not evict the villagers, as the villagers had the right to live on the land as well. However, this decision does not recognize the ownership of the land for G20 until G20 can prove their ownership. Despite legal victories, the struggle for recognition of their customary land rights persists, echoing through community halls. Over the past year, G20 has been preparing their community profiles as a first step towards proving their rights.
Beyond the Dispute: The Impact on Daily Life
The impact of the land disputes extends beyond legal battles and courtroom victories. The loss of forest cover has had profound effects on the daily lives of the indigenous communities. Traditional food sources, water source, medicinal plants, and materials for handicrafts have become scarcer. Over the four decades, large swathes of natural forests have been cleared to make way for plantations of fast-growing species like acacia, eucalyptus and oil palm. These plantations, often established without the full consent of the local communities, have led to the displacement of indigenous families and the loss of crucial resources.
One of the G20 members showed a photo of the recent forest fires, which still left lingering smoke. “It’s like it was orchestrated,” he told me. “this is because the fire burned both indigenous land and part of a company’s land. We don’t know if this fire was purely natural.” Such phenomena often occur when land is cleared and replaced with the plantation.
As I traveled through Pitas, the disparity between the promises of development and the reality faced by the villagers was very obvious. While the roads through the plantations were well-maintained and the internet connection was strong, the benefits of these developments were not equally shared. Employment opportunities in the plantations were scarce; most workers come from outside the region, and many are foreign nationals, especially from Indonesia, and essential services like schools and hospitals established by the plantation companies were only accessible to their employees.
(photo by author)
This inequality has created tensions within the communities. Some families received jobs, while others were left without, deepening divisions and frustrations. The promised prosperity from these industrial projects has not materialized for many, leaving them to question the true cost of development.
One of the most immediate and visible impacts of these land use changes is the water crisis. The clearing of forests has disrupted the natural water cycle, leading to decreased water availability and quality. The people of Pitas, who once had reliable access to streams and rivers, now face frequent water shortages. Among the G20, only one village has gravity pipe, others are not. “it’s hard to get the clean water in here” one villager told me. “you can have the clean water for free, the government provides that, but you need car to accommodate it since the place is quite far from our village. Some people take this as an advantage by providing the service, but it’s costly like 70 to 150 MYR per a cubic-water tank depend on the distance.” This shortage is exacerbated during the dry season “I only can shower for once a week” a young man told me. “the water crisis making daily life even more challenging.”
The long-awaited rain did not come. People had been waiting for rain after a prolonged summer, and they were struggling to get the clean water. During the visit to one village, a drizzle came, but a villager said that this rain was just a “prank”, it would not last long, and sure enough, in less than 2 minutes the rain stopped. Fortunately, on the last day of our visit, heavy rain fell in the afternoon, and some of the people who were with us at the village head’s house at that time suddenly gave thanks for the rain. “It’s not a prank” one of them shouted. Children immediately rushed out to enjoy the rain, the water tanks that had been placed in front of the house were filled with rainwater in the blink of an eye.
Despite these challenges, the people of Pitas remain hopeful and resilient. Many are exploring alternative livelihoods such as ecotourism and the commercialization of traditional practices like edible swiftlet bird nest harvesting. “I can earn money 300 MYR within 2-3 months from the nest” one household head told me. “If the grade of nest is good, I can earn more money.” He continued. There is also a growing consensus that foreign investment, if done responsibly and inclusively, could play a vital role in the region’s development. As a village head said “We are not against development, as long as the balance of various aspects is maintained”.
A call to action
The struggles of Pitas are not isolated; they resonate with indigenous communities worldwide grappling with similar challenges. As we bear witness to their plight, we as researchers are called to action – to stand in solidarity, amplify their voices, highlight injustices and to support the activism of grassroot organizations. For the fight for customary land rights in Pitas is not just a local struggle; it’s a battle for dignity, equality, and the preservation of our shared humanity.
My journey to Pitas was a profound reminder of the deep connection between people and their land, and the complexities surrounding land rights, development, and sustainability. People are struggling for their identity, culture, and survival. As the expansion of plantations continues to reshape the landscape, it is essential to call for recognition of the rights and traditions of the indigenous communities who have called these lands home for centuries.
I left Pitas with a renewed appreciation for the enduring spirit of the people fighting to preserve their heritage. The story of Pitas is not just a local issue; it is a global one, highlighting the need for political action to demand inclusive and sustainable approaches to development that respect indigenous communities’ rights and knowledge.
Written by Andi Patiware Metaragakusuma