KOTA KINABALU: Malaysians who have been living at an illegal settlement adjacent to the Sabah Legislative Assembly building here will be relocated to gazetted areas.
Karambunai Community Development leader (PPM) Nerudin Ludah said the 4,856ha area near Universiti Malaysia Sabah, dubbed Kampung Teluk Layang Baru, was gazetted in 2018.
The authorities had earlier issued a notice on Sept 17 for the residents in the illegal settlement to move out within 30 days, but Nerudin had applied for the moving period to be extended by six months.
According to the survey, there were 197 documented and 15 non-citizens living at the ungazetted settlement.
"A boundary study is now in progress, set to start in November. We are also getting documentation from authorities including Kota Kinabalu City Hall to move the people.
"Only Malaysian citizens with identification cards are allowed to reside in the new area. As for non-citizens, they will be referred to the National Security Council.
"Under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, the state government prioritises the welfare of Sabahans and treats them fairly," he said, adding there had been criticism from many against the government for being ruthless when it comes to demolition of illegal settlements.
Meanwhile, he said that despite the new settlement being provided with basic utilities such as water and electricity supplies, the new settlers would have to bear their own cost of building new houses.
Present was Karambunai Gagasan Rakyat division chief Datuk Arshad Idris.
He said the new location was ideal for fishing activities due to its proximity to a river connected to the sea.
Arshad added that they would monitor the village's development, focusing on road, electricity, and water supplies.