City crackdown: Enforcement officers inspecting homes at Sembulan water village in Kota Kinabalu, where a technical survey from Dec 8-12 found both temporary and permanent structures failed to meet safety, planning and hygiene standards.
KOTA KINABALU: Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) will begin operations to evict people from illegal and unsafe houses, and premises with expired leases in the Sembulan water village here this month, before demolishing them.
In a statement on Facebook yesterday, DBKK said the action comes following inspections which found some of the houses were unapproved and unsafe, other than concerns over the unsanitary conditions around the area.
The area has also been identified as one of the dengue outbreak hotspots, which poses a public health risk, DBKK said.
According to the statement, a technical survey conducted from Dec 8 to 12 found that both temporary and permanent structures had failed to meet safety, planning and hygiene standards.
“Such conditions not only tarnish the city’s image but also heighten the risk of fire, environmental pollution and obstruct legitimate development planning,” read the statement.
A census carried out in the area found that a total of 159 household heads were non-citizens and most did not hold valid travel documents.
DBKK said the action was part of the Sembulan Renewal Scheme, aimed at modernising the area into a cleaner, safer and more organised urban environment.
It said that notices of eviction and demolition were issued between Dec 18 and 22, giving affected parties a reasonable time to move out or to demolish the houses on their own accord.
DBKK emphasised it will act strictly in the matter, with residents liable to fines or prosecution, and immediate demolition without further notice.
The operation will involve multiple agencies, including the police, Fire and Rescue Department, Immigration Department, National Security Council and Sabah Internal Affairs Division.
DBKK has urged all parties to cooperate fully to ensure smooth execution of the clearance process, while those with questions may contact the DBKK Enforcement Department at 088 521 800.
