SANDAKAN: Elopura assemblyman Au Kam Wah urges landowners to monitor their properties to prevent squatters as a response to a community committee complaint over the rise in break-ins believed to be caused by the recent arrivals of foreigners.
Sentosa Apartments building at Mile 2, here, has been around since 1986 and prides itself as a peaceful suburb surrounded by lush natural greeneries, but a recent rise in break-ins has raised concerns among its residents to prompt for action.
According to Sentosa Apartments Community Committee (SACC) chairman Wong Thim Wong, the quiet suburb located at Mile 2, here, has had over 10 break-ins in the last two years, which he believes coincided with the arrivals of squatter colonies nearby.
“We’ve had more than five break-ins this year alone, the most recent one happened a month ago. We never had cases like this before the squatters moved in about two years ago.
“This is supposed to be a safe community. We feel threatened,” said Wong.
The break-ins compelled the committee to investigate the sudden occurrences and searching the areas for possible leads.
“We found a track (at the rear entry of the residential area) that leads into a forest which we speculate to be for squatters,” said Wong.
In response, SACC sought the help of its district assemblyman, Au Kam Wah.
During Kam Wah’s visit to Sentosa Apartments yesterday, SACC revealed their problems to the assemblyman and discussed possible solutions. However, no immediate action could be thought out yet. “This is a private property so the owner needs to be notified first. I will speak to MPS (Sandakan Municipal Council) on this matter and find out who the property owner is.
“But I urge property owners to monitor their land. Maybe you’re waiting for some development to do something with the property but an unused land could attract colonies (of squatters),” said Kam Wah.
Meanwhile, Wong said they were trying to increase security in the area but a lack of financial aid was preventing the security upgrade.
“We charge RM30 for the maintenance fee here. It’s gone up RM10 in the last 20 years. I think we have the most affordable fee in Sandakan.
“But we might need to raise it up a little next year once the minimum wage starts,” said Wong.