All squatters must move out for KKIA expansion

KOTA KINABALU, January 23 (Borneo Post) -- All squatters, either locals or foreiners, at Sri Tanjung and Kampung Kuari must move out to pave the way for the expansion of the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA).

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Jospeh Pairin Kitingan said they have no choice but to move out after the screening process which is expected complete by the end of February.

“We have no target date when they must leave the area but they must move out or action will be taken against them,” Pairin who is also the Minister of Rural Development told reporters at his Sembulan office, here, yesterday.

He said the squatters who are not eligible to be relocated to the people Housing Project in Kinarut must move out on their own.

He said those comfirmed by the National Registration Department (NRD) as Malaysians will be relocated to Kinarut.

“However, the eight families of Malaysians working as army and policemen are not eligible for relocation to Kinarut,” he added.He said foreigners with work passes either valid or expired, refugees and illegal immigrants (PTI) are not eligible for relocation.

Pairin said foreigners with expired work passes, refugees possessing IMM13 and PTI would be referred to the Immigration Department for further action.

He said the department would determine whether the refugees should be relocated to the existing refugees settlement schemes or allowed to reside elsewhere.

According to him, the department would certainly send home those PTIs and foreigners with expired work passes.

He also announced that the Kota Kinabalu City Hall would open up booths at Sri Tanjung to register the squatters between Feb 10 and Feb 12. The collected data will then be handed over to the NRD which has the final say whether so and so are genuine Malaysians and eligible for relocation to Kinarut, he added.

Pairin said the screening process is expected to be completed by the end of February.