Kota Kinabalu: Some 80 squatter houses were demolished in a five-hour multi-agency operation around the State Capital from 10am on Monday.
City Police Chief ACP Kasim Muda said police, together with teams from the General Operations Force (GOF), Rela, National Registration Department, Civil Defence Force, City Hall (DBKK) and Chief Minister’s Department, conducted the operation.
“There were also officials from the Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB), Water Department, Lands and Surveys Department and Welfare Department,” he said in a statement, Tuesday.
He said three Filipinas were also nabbed in the operation and they would be referred to the Immigration Department for further action.
“The squatters were issued eviction notices for months, with some even up to two years,” said Kasim.
He explained that the squatter colony was built on state land and the demolition operation was conducted based on security reasons.
“We will continue such raids and operations to curb the presence of illegal immigrants, crime, drugs and social ills in and around Kota Kinabalu,” he said.
Some houses had been abandoned but some were still occupied during the operation.
Those still in the houses followed instructions from policemen and there were no incidents reported.
