Jaujan to focus on home ownership, squatter colonies By Chok Sim Yee
KOTA KINABALU: Home ownership and squatter colonies will be the focus of the new Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Jaujan Sambakong.
Jaujan, who is also Deputy Chief Minister, admitted that it was not easy to eradicate squatter colonies but the ministry would strive to reduce the number of squatters.
He said most people preferred to live near the city yet could not afford a home, which contributed to the many squatter colonies in the outskirts.
“This is one of the matters the ministry and its agencies will focus on,” Jaujan said to the media after a briefing by the agencies under the Ministry of Local Government and Housing here yesterday.
He added that the squatters in Tanjung Aru and Sembulan would be one of the focuses of the ministry.
“Kota Kinabalu and Tanjung Aru are the gateway into Sabah. Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) is located in Tanjung Aru.
“As the plane enters Kota Kinabalu airspace, we can see Sutera Harbour and next to it, the squatter colonies.”
Jaujan said his ministry would be looking into how to upgrade the squatter colonies instead of relocating the squatters.
He said the squatters could have lived there for generations and would not feel comfortable being moved to another location.
“We will conduct a study on the local needs.”
He added that the ministry would look into meeting the people’s needs in Sabah, including improving their income and infrastructure, as well as enhancing the efficiency and capability of the ministry.
Also present was the Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing Hiew Vun Zin.