SANDAKAN – Sandakan MP Vivian Wong Shir Yee called out the government for not doing enough to solve squatter settlement problems in Sabah, especially in her constituency, which has the highest number of squatter houses.
In a recent statement, the DAP lawmaker said the federal government revealed that five People’s Housing Projects (PPRs) are currently being constructed to resolve the issue.
However, she said none of these projects are in Sandakan.
During recent Parliament sittings, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican – in responding to Wong’s question – said Sabah has 23,778 units of squatter houses. Sandakan tops the list with 6,516 units, followed by Semporna (4,297), Lahad Datu (3,711), and Tawau (3,600).
Reezal Merican said there are currently five PPRs under construction in Sabah – namely PPR Kiansom in Inanam, PPR Jalan Tungku in Lahad Datu, PPR Gayang II in Tuaran, PPR Tagasan in Semporna and PPR Pitas – all of which will provide 3,090 units when completed.
Wong said the government’s efforts are hardly sufficient, as the five PPRs will only cater to a mere 13% of the total number of squatter houses recorded in the state.
“This is no way to resolve our squatter issues. It also shows the lack of commitment from the government to really tackle this long-standing problem facing the state.
“What is more disappointing is, even though Sandakan has the dubious title of having the most number of squatter houses in Sabah, there is currently not a single PPR being carried out there.
“What has happened to the second phase of the Batu Putih and Batu Sapi PPRs under the 11th Malaysia Plan? The ministry needs to come clean on this,” Wong urged.
She said the squatter issue must not be taken lightly as it could potentially lead to greater public health and safety hazards.
“All these squatter settlements, with no proper water and power supply, could bring serious public health and safety implications. Rampant power and water theft, as well as Covid-19 hotspots, are frequently associated with these squatter settlements.
“The government needs to act now to provide more affordable housing for locals, and to tackle the squatter issue once and for all.
“Building a few thousand units here and there in the next five or 10 years is not enough to solve the problem.
“We need to tackle all 23,778 units,” she said.
Meanwhile in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) claimed that it has successfully eradicated squatter houses in Luyang.
SAPP vice-president cum Luyang community development leader (PPM) Gee Tien Siong said after pledging to have “zero squatters” in Luyang last April, the last illegal squatter house in the constituency has been demolished this week.
“These squatters have been occupying land belonging to the National Archives of Malaysia for more than 10 years, and nearby residents complained that their presence created various social problems.
“Now, residents can breathe a sigh of relief that this problem is finally resolved. These squatters were issued six months’ notice to relocate prior to the demolition.
“Many squatters have given their full cooperation, dismantled their houses themselves, sold recoverable building materials and furniture, and moved out,” he said in a recent statement.
Gee said during the demolition process – in which he had been present – there were eight squatter families comprising local citizens, and the team had assisted them in applying for PPR units.
He thanked the Kota Kinabalu City Hall, National Archives, police force, Water Department, Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd, and the Land and Survey Department for their concerted efforts to eliminate illegal houses in Luyang.
Gee urged Luyang voters to keep a watchful eye out for any future suspicious illegal structures, and inform the Luyang PPM Unit office immediately to curb any resurgence of illegal squatters within the constituency. – The Vibes, November 13, 2021
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