ESSCom: Population census on Palauh community in Kunak continues

The Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) will carry out a population census on the Palauh community, which enters its fourth-phase for two days, starting today in Kunak district.

ESSCom secretariat service division assistant director Harun Maddasa said the study this time will focus on three Palauh settlements, namely Kampung Kunak 3, Kg Jeti Pangkalan and Pulau Malundangan, which is located about 30 minutes from Kunak town.

He said the study aims to collect information and data on the distribution and demographics of the Palauh community, including whether they have citizenship status.

"This study is important to ESSCom in order to complete the data and information which has been previously collected from three series of census for the Palauh population in the Semporna district.

"The information will be used by the government to formulate a holistic action plan to help the community to get out of poverty," he said in a statement here Thursday.

Harun also asked the villagers not to be alarmed or panic when they are visited by the census officers and security forces appointed by ESSCom and to extend their full cooperation to them to get an accurate and comprehensive census.

He said previously, ESSCom had teamed with various state and federal agencies including the Statistics Department and district offices to conduct three series of census for the Palauh population in Semporna district.

It focused on the community's main settlement areas around Pulau Omadal, Kulapuan, Labuan Haji, Bangau-Bangau, Halo, Nusa Tiga and Sibangkat.