(ANN/THE STAR) – In a recent effort to address security concerns, authorities dismantled 160 illegal houses built on state land in northern Pitas, Sabah.
Squatter settlements have the potential to become havens for external elements posing security risks, warns a Sabah district police chief.
These squatter houses, located on forestry reserve land in Kampung Agas Tiga Tarok, were initially used by workers from a local silica mining project. According to Kota Marudu OCPD Supt Zairolnizal Ishak, both undocumented migrants and locals had been residing there.
“The demolition was necessary to prevent the area from developing into another squatter colony,” Supt Zairolnizal said on Friday (July 5). He emphasised that the move was also aimed at mitigating potential security threats.
The operation involved 12 agencies, including marine police, Immigration officials, Lands and Surveys Department personnel, and forestry officials.
The demolition, which took place over seven hours, was completed without any incidents or arrests.
Supt Zairolnizal noted that two notices were issued before the operation, one on May 8 and another on June 28.
