Karim: Govt targets zero squatters in state by 2020

May 8, 2014

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.

Current housing ordinance to be updated

March 19, 2013

A committee headed by Assistant Housing Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah will work together with the Land and Survey Department, the state Attorney General Chamber and his ministry to study and propose for the restructuring of the housing ordinance.

KUCHING: The government will be looking at amending the current housing ordinance in its efforts to update current regulations to suit current needs.

Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said the current changing lifestyle of the people requires several amendments to be made.

Amendments will also aim at ridding loopholes, he added.

“A fine example on the issue is in regards to gated community. There is no specific rule and detail that can be looked at as basis for reference.

“For example, whether the roads within the housing are private or public ones,” said Abang Johari.

He added that his ministry has studied several examples of gated community especially the ones in Brisbane, Australia. He believed these will be a good basis for new regulations on gated community.

“Another rising issue is over commercial building with high-rise apartments. We know of three such examples at the moment, and they affect licensing.

Sebuyau to get new township

By CALVIN YEO
yeop@thestar.com.my
Sunday February 12, 2012

Big project: Johari (right) looking at the Sebuyau new township plan. Looking on are 

Rural Development Assistant Minister Julaihi Narawi (second from right), Samarahan 

Land and Survey Superintendent Rozlan Putit (centre), Housing Assistant Minister 

Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (second from left) and Domestic Trade, Cooperatives 

and Consumerism Ministry Deputy Minister Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim (left). 

— ANDRE OLIVEIRO / The Star

SEBUYAU: The Housing Ministry has identified a 10ha land for a new township here.

Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said the township would comprise residential and commercial areas as well as government offices and places of worship.

“The residential area will take up 8ha in which about 240 units of low-cost houses under the Rumah Mesra Rakyat scheme will be built.

“It will be implemented by the Housing Development Corporation and Syarikat Perumahan Nasional Berhad,” he told a press conference after a working visit here yesterday.

Johari said the concept would help resettle residents affected by river erosion in this small coastal town, within a well-planned new township.

He said the low-cost houses would be built first, followed by commercial buildings and government offices.

Johari added that this would be a long-term plan by the government to resettle this town.