KOTA KINABALU: Sabah, which is home to an estimated 100,000 squatters, has begun a multi- agency operation to identify the settlements and issue demolition notices.
Sabah Police Commissioner Comm Datuk Jauteh Dikun said the three-phase Ops Koloni Setinggan would begin with small squatter colonies in Kota Kinabalu, Semporna, Kudat and Labuan before it is extended to larger ones in the state.
So far, he said the respective local authorities had issued 1,388 demolition notices to squatters in the areas through integrated operations involving state and federal enforcement agencies.
Under the standard operating procedure, the government would first identify the houses in a squatter colony before issuing a demolition notice to allow sufficient time for the occupants to vacate the place.
“After these squatter colonies are cleared, the authorities will fence them up or erect signs prohibiting trespassing,” said Comm Jauteh.
He said that action would be taken against those without identity or travel documents.
“Those without proper documents will be tracked by the authorities.
“They can be prosecuted according to the law,” he said.
He said many of these squatters had intruded on land belonging to the government or its agencies.
Comm Jauteh was confident that the operations would, in the long term, help in resolving the issues of squatters and the influx of illegal immigrants to Sabah.
“The operation can overcome the encroachment into government land, deal with crime, electricity and water thefts, as well as issues concerning hygiene and the environment,” he said.
He said that drug abuse and littering had also become “synonymous” in these areas.
