By Conny Banji
reporterstheborneopost.com

SIBU: The government will continue to resolve the squatters issue in the state caused by rural-urban migration.

Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan said that various programmes had been implemented to address the problem.

“It includes resettlement schemes, village expansion, affordable and hardcore poor housing projects, and the latest, in-situ settlement.

“The state government has stopped providing resettlement schemes. However, we will still continue with the village expansion programme if there is a need,” he said when presenting declaration letters to 142 families at the civic centre here yesterday.

Among those present were acting superintendant of Land and Survey Department here Abdul Azziss Abdul Kadir, Nangka assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapaee, Temenggong Datuk Wan Hamid Edruce, Temenggong Vincent Lau and Pemanca Stanley Geramong.

Family heads from three squatter areas (Sungai Pakan in Loba Kerto, Mile 8 1/2 in Old Oya Road and Mile 21 in Tanggi Spur Road, Ulu Oya Road) received their letters from the minister.

According to Awang Tengah, problem with the three squatter areas were now solved by the government by way of in-situ settlement.

He said that through in-situ settlement, the squatter areas were given declaration as valid villages or Government Reserves under Section 7(1) of the State Land Code.

“As valid villages, the residents can now apply for various facilities such as roads, water and electricity supplies and telecommunication link,” he said.

The government, he added, had solved 11 squatter areas involving 345 families in Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu and Miri divisions.

It had also solved similar cases with 281 individual houses and a 16-door longhouse through the in- situ settlement.

AwangTengah said the presentation of the letters was proof of the caring Barisan Nasional (BN) government.
“It is thus important that the people support the government of the day to ensure a brighter future for them, now that the general election is around the corner.

(Source:  The Borneo Post, 21 December 2012)