MP to submit proposal to solve Batu Sapi squatter woes
SANDAKAN: Batu Sapi Member of Parliament Datuk Liew Vui Keong said he will present a proposal to the State Cabinet to solve the squatter settlement problems in Batu Sapi.
He said that he is now acquiring data and information so that he will be able to produce a complete proposal for the State Cabinet to consider, and hopes there will be no more squatter homes here.
Based on information that he acquired from Sandakan Municipal Council (SMC), there are a total of 18 squatter colonies in Batu Sapi (ten in Karamunting and eight in Sekong) which consist of 2,805 squatter houses and 10,393 residents.
“Out of the sum, 1,280 houses are occupied by 5,682 Malaysians, and 1,525 houses are occupied by 4,711 non-Malaysians. Most of the settlements are built on private land, and SMC is having a hard time to reach the owners.
“So we are going to propose either moving them into a new village, or building more PPR (People's Housing Project) and move them there,” Liew said.
He said that the decision to achieve a win-win solution between the villagers and the Government will be based on the approach decided by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.
Liew said this at a press conference held after he met with Deputy President of SMC, Mohd Hamsan Awang Supain and Elopura Assemblyman, Calvin Chong Ket Kiun.
Meanwhile, Liew who is also Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) Permanent Chairman said that he was briefed about the street light problem in Batu Sapi. He said there was a jurisdiction problem between SMC and Sabah Electric Sdn Bhd that had caused delay in fixing the problem here, and he hopes that it is resolved as soon as possible.
From the meeting, SMC had also presented a plan to Liew on the proposal of five tourism hot spots in Batu Sapi. The list includes from Community Hall to Kampung Kombo (water activities and theme park); Bandar Ramai-Ramai and Tanah Merah (commercial, seafood packaging); Bandar Nam Tung (art square) and Pasir Putih (upgrading of existing beach for recreational activities); as well as upgrading of Kampung Pukat and Kampung Air Jetty.
“The first three zones are the easiest to be done. We need man power and the commitment and cooperation from all the locals. Together, we can do it,” he said.
Liew said that the proposal will be brought to the attention of the Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister.
“We will also look for local investors to realise all these plans in making Batu Sapi and Sandakan a tourist hot spot,” he said.