Sabah to study policy on illegal squatters

KOTA KINABALU, November 29 (The Star) -- A consistent policy on solutions for illegal squatters is likely to be studied by the Sabah government which is grappling with public criticism over its contradictory policies in evacuating squatters.  

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan said there was a need to look into a more consistent policy on enforcement of the law against squatters.  

“I believe it will come up once we have discussed the squatter issues,” he told reporters after closing the Chief Minister's Badminton Cup Challenge here recently. 

The state's squatter policy has been questioned after state Forestry officials burned down local squatter houses in a forest reserve area in Paitan while it is seen negotiating with Sri Tanjung illegal squatters to make way for the airport extension here. 

However, Pairin defended the forestry action to burn down the houses as the people involved were allegedly outsiders who had been given ample notice. (The squatters have since publicly claimed to be local forest dwellers who had applied for land in the area.) 

“Perhaps this kind of approach brings about a dramatic perception. It can be interpreted in many ways. I can foresee it will not happen again,” he said, adding that each squatter problem needed a different approach. 

“It is a matter of discussion and debate,” he said when asked whether the state Cabinet would consider views that there should be no compensation or alternatives offered to squatters as they were squatting illegally.  

“Once we agree on a consistent policy, we must see whether certain problems should be looked at in a particular manner to resolve the issue or to enforce the law,” he added. 

The issue of squatters came up following a demand by Sri Tanjung villagers, many of whom are believed to be naturalised Malaysians, that the state give them free housing and RM4,000 in compensation including moving costs to make way for the airport runway extension project.