KOTA KINABALU: An illegal house owner decided to tear down his own squatter home while contractors demolished 38 other structures at a colony behind the Likas Square commercial area near here.
This is part of the ongoing squatter house demolition project conducted by City Hall and its partners with the aim of ridding the city of illegal structures or state lands or reserves, reduce the risk of floods and to maintain the drainage and irrigation system.
The operation led by the Sabah Drainage and Irrigation Department with City Hall was carried out from 9am to 5pm on July 9 and saw a total of 39 illegal homes torn down, following evacuation notices issued to squatters there on June 25.
According to the City Hall Facebook page, the owners had 14 days to clear the area after receiving their notices.
It said that this area had been under the authority’s radar as actions had been taken against the intruders in the past.
It said that most of the illegal structures were built by non-Malaysians, and their irresponsible actions had affected the functions of drain and river reserves, public safety as well as the environment.
The City Hall said that a total of 25 officials from various agencies including the police, Sabah Electricity and Land Revenue Collecting Assistant were part of this ongoing exercise, which is also aimed at protecting state assets and public interests.
Enforcement of such will be continued and strengthened consistently to ensure the wellbeing of the city, it said, adding that public cooperation in not building any structures on state lands and to abide by rules and regulations were vital to keep the city safe, clean and sustainable.
Other than this, the City Hall is also in the process of demolishing over 100 squatter houses at a colony at a mangrove area behind Alamesra, not far from the city, a process which had started in June.
