Squatter colony has its own transport system
KOTA KINABALU: A group of illegal immigrants here thought that they had the perfect hiding place in a squatter settlement located in a swamp.
However, its remoteness proved to be no hindrance for security forces who raided the settlement that had turned into a hideout for drug addicts as well.
The raid at the squatter area near Kampung Kalansanan Lama, about 15km from here, also revealed that the residents had their own transport system, which included a makeshift ferry.
Kota Kinabalu OCPD Asst Comm M. Chandra said the raid at the Kampung Kalansanan squatter settlement and at Kampung Cenderamata 2 in Likas on Saturday saw the arrest of 60 people.
He said 48 of them – seven men, 19 women and 22 children – had no documents and were suspected to be illegal immigrants from the Philippines.
Another 12 people – 11 men and a woman – were detained under the Dangerous Drugs Act.
A total of 78 structures in both settlements would be demolished, said ACP Chandra.
The raid was carried out by police, Rela, the National Registration Department, City Hall and the Immigration Department.