A family of six, confined to living in fear in Kampung Tanjung Labian and in the jungle over the past 11 days due to the Sulu terrorist intrusion, has had to walk 10 hours to reach a temporary relocation centre in Lahad Datu, Sabah.
Rustam Edan, 55, together with his wife and their four children, aged from eight months to 12 years, starting walking from their village at 5am yesterday and reached the Dewan Fajar Harapan some 10 kilometres away, at 3pm.
Rustam, who is the caretaker of a relative's oil palm smallholding in the village, said they used village roads and stopped numerous times due to fatigue.
He told reporters at the centre that the family ran out of the house and took shelter in the jungle every time there was the sound of gunfire.
"We only returned to the house after the gunfire had died down," he said.
The rest of the villagers had left their homes soon after the Sulu terrorists came to Kampung Tanjung Batu, he said.
Rustam said his family stayed put because he did not know where to go.
At the centre, Health Department staff conducted a medical examination on Rustam and his family.
The exhausted family was provided with food and other necessities.
Rustam Edan, 55, together with his wife and their four children, aged from eight months to 12 years, starting walking from their village at 5am yesterday and reached the Dewan Fajar Harapan some 10 kilometres away, at 3pm.
Rustam, who is the caretaker of a relative's oil palm smallholding in the village, said they used village roads and stopped numerous times due to fatigue.
He told reporters at the centre that the family ran out of the house and took shelter in the jungle every time there was the sound of gunfire.
"We only returned to the house after the gunfire had died down," he said.
The rest of the villagers had left their homes soon after the Sulu terrorists came to Kampung Tanjung Batu, he said.
Rustam said his family stayed put because he did not know where to go.
At the centre, Health Department staff conducted a medical examination on Rustam and his family.
The exhausted family was provided with food and other necessities.
Meanwhile, Deputy Transport Minister Abdul Rahim Bakri urged the people of Sabah to remain united in the face of challenges that saddled the state and appreciate peace, for it is priceless.
Abdul Rahim said the people should appreciate history and avoid squabbles to maintain the country's sovereignty, which was akin to a big family.
"If the people are divided, it will enable certain quarters to exploit the people's vulnerability to serve their own selfish ends.
Abdul Rahim said the people should appreciate history and avoid squabbles to maintain the country's sovereignty, which was akin to a big family.
"If the people are divided, it will enable certain quarters to exploit the people's vulnerability to serve their own selfish ends.
"In this case, the people should not be influenced by propaganda spread by certain quarters who use whatever methods as for them the end justify the means.”
- Bernama
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