By Florence Genta

SIBU: The government is taking proactive measures to address the squatter problem in the state.

The squatter problem is caused by rural-urban migration and the government is implementing various programmes through resettlement schemes which have been implemented throughout Sarawak.

Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Haji Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said through the Land and Survey Department, the government had implemented Village Expansion Programme at villages in the suburbs and rural areas.

He said the Village Expansion Programme had already been implemented and would be continued while the resettlement scheme had been discontinued.

On Village Expansion Programme in Sibu, Tengah requested that the people’s representatives and community leaders discuss the matter with the Land and Survey Department.

“We are in the process of coming up with a priority list for the programme,” said Tengah at the presentation of the Gazette Notification under Section 7 of the Land Code Chapter 81 and the provisions of the letter of approval for residential lots, at the Sibu Civic Centre here, yesterday.

Among the squatter colonies that had been solved through the ‘In-Situ’ solution under Section 7 of the Land Code are Sungai Pakan Loba Kerto Sibu, involving 3.597 hectares, 21 households and 18 homes; Mile 81/2 Jalan Oya Lama, Sibu (6.479ha, 87 households and 65 homes); and Rumah Jawin at Jalan Tanggi Spur, Mile 21, Jalan Ulu Oya, Sibu (5.643ha, 34 households, and 31 homes).

One squatter area at Sungai Antu, Sibu, involving 16 households, had been solved with the offer of residential lots for the resettlement scheme.

According to Tengah, the government has managed to solve the three squatter areas through ‘In-Situ’ solution in Sibu, namely, Sungai Pakan Loba Kerto, Mile 8 ½, Jalan Oya Lama and Mile 21, Jalan Tanggi Spur Ulu Oya, all involving 142 households, 98 individual house s and one 16-door longhouse.

“So far, the government has also solved the squatter colonies in six Divisions, namely, Sri Aman, Sibu, Sarikei, Samarahan, Betong and Miri, involving a total of 345 families.

“Through ‘In-Situ solution: a total of 281 houses and a 16-door longhouse have been built, and the residents are no longer considered as squatters because they have houses built on lots that are provided. The residents can also apply for various amenities such as electricity supply, water supply, telecommunications, roads and others:’ he said.

Tengah, who is also Public Utilities Minister said that some of the houses had to be rebuilt to allow the cons truction of road in the area.

Therefore, he hoped that the residents would cooperate during the work implemented by the authorities.

Also through ‘In-Situ’ solution, the residential homes and long- houses would be gazetted as the ‘Village Reserve: thus the residents no longer worried about the status of their homes.

“Once gazettd as a ‘Village Reserve: if the residents have the desire to survey their individual lots to obtain title, it can be done in the second stage. For now, the most important thing is that the lots are certified to belong to the residents:’ explained Tengah.
He said all these efforts of the

Barisan  Nasional (BN) government showed that the BN would always prioritise the needs of the people.

He hoped that the people continue to support and cooperate with the BN government to ensure their bright future.

Among those present were Nangka State Assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapaee, Temenggong Vincent Lau, Temenggong Wan Hamid Edruce, Acting Superintendent of Land and Survey Abdul Azziss Abdul Kadir, Deputy Resident Dr Zufar Yadi and community leaders.

(Source:  Sarawak Tribune, 21 December 2012)