The demolition of squatter houses in one of three areas.
SANDAKAN: Almost 90 percent of the occupants of 347 squatter houses in three areas here were identified as illegal immigrants following an integrated demolition operation yesterday.
The operation was carried out by the Sandakan Municipal Council (SMC) jointly with the Immigration department, Police, National Registration Department and the Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd, in Bandar Nam Tung, Beach Garden and Mile 2.5.
According to the SMC head of squatters unit, Kassim Selamat, a demolition notice had been served on all squatters at the areas prior to the operation.
He said the council was directed to demolish the houses to make way for a housing project at Beach Garden, the construction of a bus terminal project at Batu 2.5 and a market at Bandar Nam Tung.
“In all, a total of 347 squatter houses were demolished comprising 225 houses in Mile 2.5, 68 houses in Beach Garden and 54 houses in Bandar Nam Tung,” he disclosed, when met by reporters yesterday.
Kassim said the demolition operation was jointly carried out with the Immigration Department, the Police, National Registration Department (NRD), Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) and the Water Department.
“Almost all squatter dwellers in these three areas had unauthorised water and power supply connection into their houses. With this demolition exercise, we hope to reduce the crime rate as most of squatter areas are hotbed for criminal activities,” he said.
Inspection also revealed that the almost negligible level of cleanliness had contributed to the presence of strong foul smell and health issues as rubbish had been trapped in the areas for years.
Meanwhile, Kassim said, there will be no appeal and consideration period following the demolition notice given served on the squatter dwellers.
The demolition exercise was undertaken in order to bring development to these areas and we expect more demolition operations in several other areas around Sandakan in the near future, he added.