My family has been running a palm oil estate in Kunak, Sabah for almost 20 years but few months ago a company called ‘Syarikat Kerjasama Pembangunan Tanah Tingkayu Koperatif’ which is owned by bumiputeras, claimed they owned the land and showed us their official land title. Together with my family, there are total 171 estate owners who are affected. We all have the official approved land titles for our land via the small holders scheme launched 20 years ago by the Sabah state government.

They then tried to stop us from harvesting our palm oil and sending it to the mill. Together with the rest of estate owners, we lodged a police report but were told by police that no action will be taken unless we obtain a restraining order from the High Court. Since the local police couldn’t help us, we tried to negotiate with the company and they demanded that we pay RM60 per metric tonne of our harvested palm oil bunches.

However, few weeks ago, this bumiputera company started to harvest our palm oil on their own claiming they got ownership of the estates. We managed to get a court order and once again requested the police to intervene, Instead, we were told by the police that they can’t do anything and advised us to protect our own property ourselves! I really can't believe this is happening in Malaysia.

My father had a minor stroke after this event because he couldn’t accept the fact that he was being robbed of the fruits of his labour by someone who suddenly popped up from nowhere claiming ownership. I feel really hurt seeing my father suffering.

In fact, this same thing happened few years back only that it involved another bumiputera company. However, we managed to prevent them from grabbing our land by appointing a lawyer. But this time around, it seems like the ‘mastermind’ of this company is too powerful. So much so, the police also do not dare touch them.

I really feel that the government has abandoned us. This, while they broadcast how capable and efficient they have been for Malaysian society.