Action will be taken against this squatter colony: Mayor
Published on: Tuesday, July 14, 2020
By: Sherell Jeffrey
Photo of the alleged squatter area in Signal Hill circulated on social media.
Kota Kinabalu: Mayor Datuk Nordin Siman said action will be taken on the growing squatter colony beside Palace Hotel and not far from the Head of State’s residence. “It is a private owned land and we have contacted the land owner who is willing to take legal action,” he said. The squatters comprise both locals and foreigners.
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It is understood that the land owner is in the process of obtaining a court order for their eviction.
Only then can City Hall start demolishing the illegal structures under the building by-law.
Photo of the squatter colony was circulated on WhatsApp, Sunday, with some commenting that they were complained about two years ago but inaction by City Hall led to the squatters being bold and expanding.
There were also fears of a landslide with tragic consequences if the hill slope continues to be cleared for the squatters’ expansion.
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In February this year, Deputy Chief Minister cum Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Jaujan Sambakong said there are 227 squatter colonies with a total of 153,188 residents throughout Sabah.
Kota Kinabalu topped the list with 54 squatter colonies, inhabited by 34,173 people, followed by Sandakan with 34 squatter colonies (29,192 people), Tawau with 28 (15,079) and Semporna 18 (31,292).
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