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Published: Friday May 3, 2013 MYT 6:17:00 PM
Updated: Friday May 3, 2013 MYT 7:20:26 PM

GE13: For war weary Lahad Datu folks, vote is for BN to rebuild their lives

By STEPHANIE LEE


LAHAD DATU: After being tossed into the limelight and living out a war zone experience, the people of Tanjung Labian are slowly resuming their normal kampung life.

As they go to vote this Sunday, the trauma of the Sulu intrusion and the gun battles that followed with the security forces is still etched in their minds.

Most of them have returned to their homes and hoping to rebuild their stilt wooden houses destroyed with the help of the authorities.

Flags and posters of various parties line the 165-kilometer road from the Lahad Datu town to Tanjung Labian interspaced with security checkpoints in and outside the Felda Sahabat area, where Tanjung Labian is located.

Hiya Majijil with his grandchild at a kindergarten after his house was destroyed due to the Sulu intrusion. Hiya Majijil with his grandchild at a kindergarten after his house was destroyed due to the Sulu intrusion.

A 71-year-old gas trader Hiya Majijil who was met at a kindergarten used as temporary shelter for the displaced villagers said during the peaceful times, campaigns here were held in a similar manner, except at that time, it was a like a festival.

"The campaign activities, talks and visits from candidates used to be more exciting, filled with more laughter but now, it is less cheery. We are just thankful to be alive today," he said.

Hiya who lost his house and business said it was a heartbreaking sight when they were finally allowed to return home more than a month ago.

A man says a prayer amongst the ruins of the houses destroyed during the Sulu intrusion. A man says a prayer amongst the ruins of the houses destroyed during the Sulu intrusion.

"My family and I did not know what to expect but when I saw our houses all damaged and burnt, I couldn't help but cry," he said.

Hiya said he will choose the party that would help the villagers rebuild their homes and whoever would help his family of 12 children and 33 grandchildren.

"We have been told the government will compensate us and rebuild homes, so I must make sure the government today will be remain.” "Everything is pretty much back to normal now. This election's campaign is almost the same as previously. The only difference is that many of us do not have a home anymore," said Hiya.

A bullet hole in the wall of a kindergarden in Kampung Tanjung Labian is a stark reminder of the gunfights that took place not too long ago. A bullet hole in the wall of a kindergarden in Kampung Tanjung Labian is a stark reminder of the gunfights that took place not too long ago.

Farmer Sitti Harija Udjaman, 57, said the authorities have been very helpful to the displaced families by providing basic necessities.

She said when they were allowed to return to the kampung, everyone felt sad as it no longer felt like home.

"It is still a difficult life for us," she said, adding that the villagers were trying their best to cope with their day-to-day life. "Thankfully my son's employer allowed us to stay at his house until our homes are rebuilt," she said.

Election fever in Kampung Tanjung Labian persists. Election fever in Kampung Tanjung Labian persists.

Tanjung Labian is about 30km away from Tanduo village that was the focal point of the Sulu attack. Tanduo is still out of bounds to the villagers.

Both Tanjung Labian and Tanduo is under the constituency of Tungku state seat of 14, 626 voters where Barisan Nasional's incumbent Datuk Mohd Suhaili Said is challenged by Dato Shuaib Dato Mutalib of SAPP, Tsen Yun Fah @ Mohd Azlan Tsen Abdullah (independent), Johani Abd Halim (PKR) and Johan Nul (STAR).

For more election stories, please visit The Star's GE13 site

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