KENINGAU: Some 16 squatter houses involving 145 residents were demolished in the Squatter Colony Demolition Operation on Government Land in this district.
Keningau District Police Chief Supt Yampil Anak Garai said the operation was carried out for two days starting on Thursday.
He said this operation was carried out in an integrated manner involving 72 officers and staff of seven departments or agencies consisting of the Police, Keningau District Council, Immigration Department (JIM), SESB, Water Department, Land and Survey Department, Land Revenue Collector’s Office and the Veterinary Department.
Yampil said the operation was carried out after the third Vacancy and Demolition notice under Section 173 of the Sabah Land Ordinance by the Sabah Land Department on Aug 1 which involved a total of 16 Notices issued.
“Section 173(1)(h) of the Sabah Land Ordinance is the main source of authority for this operation which was handed down to the Immigration Department by the Sabah Land and Survey Director dated Aug 1 2024,” he said when contacted.
Yampil said during the operation there were some objections from the representatives of the residents, but the situation was under control and the operation went smoothly without any incidents.
At the same time he advised residents not to build houses on government land even if it was empty.
According to him, building a house on government land could hinder implementation of development as well as cause trouble for those who do so in the future.
Meanwhile Keningau District Officer Peter Jonu Moinjil advised the people against building houses on government land.
“This is to avoid facing problems in the future as is happening now.”
“Those doing so have to bear the risk because the eviction and demolition of squatter houses on government land will still be carried out if the land in question is used by the relevant government department or agency,” he said.
