KUCHING: Land and Survey Department census shows there are 2,507 household heads in squatter areas on government land in Piasau, Pujut and Senadin constituencies.
Assistant Housing Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah told the august house yesterday in response to Pujut assemblyman Fong Pau Teck’s question on the status of squatters in Miri which totaled about 4,000.
“The record given was based on a comprehensive survey carried out on those squatting on government land only and excluding those on private land,” Karim pointed out.
On plans and measures taken to tackle squatter issues in the state, Karim said the government had implemented various schemes and initiatives in an effort to achieve zero squatter status by 2020.
“First, a management and settlement committee was set up under the state Housing Ministry and Land and Survey Department to address squatter issues and the committee meets twice a year,” he said.
Karim added that the government had also implemented the state squatter action plan approved in 2010 which was monitored by the committee.
“This plan comprised strategic courses covering aspects of local planning, enforcement and development of housing in order to address squatter issues in a comprehensive and integrated manner.
