FLASH BACK!!!!!!!!!!! 'Cabinet has decided'

DAILY EXPRESS
08 March, 2006

Kota Kinabalu: State Secretary Datuk KY Mustafa confirmed Tuesday that the Maang area has been earmarked for the resettlement of squatters from the Sri Tanjung colony in Petagas. Disclosing this to Daily Express, he said the State Government made the decision as the on-going Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) expansion project was an urgent one.

"Several years ago, the area was identified for a housing project but looking at the current situation and the need to further materialise the KKIA project, the squatters need to be relocated. "Hence, the State Government saw that Maang area as the suitable place to resettle the squatters and decided to change the first plan of constructing houses in the area," he said.

On the objections expressed by Maang folks, he said, they are aware of the villagers' complaints and disapproval for the move. "However, the decision was based on the State's interest," he said. "It is the villagers' rights to express their objection but we will still carry out the Government's decision," he said. As for the exact location of the area, Mustafa said, the right person to disclose it would be the Sabah Lands and Surveys Department Director.

Local residents of Kampung Maang and surrounding villages of Kg Penapakondis, Potuki, Tombovo, Duvanson and others have voiced objections to the plan, saying the peace and tranquility in the areas would be disrupted by the presence of these squatters, who they say are known to be mainly foreigners although holding MyKads.

They also feared the scenic areas would be marred by the spread of diseases, drug addiction and trafficking, social problems and criminal activities, pointing out these were rife in the Sri Tanjung area. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yahya Husin, said he did not understand why the matter should become an issue as work on the airport expansion had already started in March. "We need not worry, where there is vacant (land), (the squatters will be relocated) there," he said.

According to Yahya, the Government cannot evict the rakyat who squat at the area, which is opposite the MasKargo complex. "There must be a place for the squatters to be relocated because it is the responsibility of the Government. The rakyat will face difficulty if they are evicted without new places to stay."