Local Government and Housing Ministry will continue to digitalise its services

KOTA KINABALU: The Local Government and Housing Ministry will continue to digitalise its services through the adoption of various efforts, said its minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Joachim Gunsalam.

This, said the Deputy Chief Minister, is in line with the Sabah Maju Jaya halatuju, adding that cooperation between his ministry and the Federal Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) for the development of ePBT in Sabah’s local authorities will continue.

Several digitalisation programs are being planned, including establishing the Urban Community Committee (JKDB) application; improving the State Squatter Information System; establishing the Plant Inventory System, and digitising private housing management services and the Native Court.

“My ministry has also planned to implement several new programs and approaches in 2024.

It aligns with efforts to enhance service excellence.

These include strengthening the enforcement of local authorities in Sabah; Early provision of the Sabah Smart City Blueprint and Smart City Action Plan (2023-2025) involving the Kota Kinabalu City Hall and a few local authorities under KKTP’s supervision, namely the Tawau Municipal Council, Sandakan Municipal Council, Lahad Datu District Council, Penampang District Council and Tuaran District Council.

He also disclosed that the State Cabinet has established a Committee on Squatter Affairs, which he chairs, and strategies as well as action plans have been formulated and organised to address squatter issues in Sabah.

According to Joachim, the Squatter Affairs Committee has identified a total of 285 squatter colonies in Sabah as ‘lock figures’ and a plan as well as management framework for squatter settlements in the state have been prepared.

Among the strategies the committee came up with are gazetting suitable squatter areas as settlements; relocation of squatters through offers of lots or sites or suitable housing units; construction of affordable housing and lowcost housing in-situ; land swap for land ownership involved with squatter settlements; and eviction on privately owned land is the responsibility of the landowner.

All relevant agencies such as District Offices, local authorities, enforcement agencies and several technical agencies are involved in this squatter management framework, he said.