KUCHING:Since the establishment of the State Squatters Management and Settlement Committee (JPPSN) in 2010, the government has successfully provided residences to 5,469 out of 9,760 squatter heads of household (KIR) who have registered through various initiatives provided.
The government has also recently approved the placement of 1,478 squatter KIRs while the remaining 2,813 squatter KIRs are still under review.
The government will continue to work towards finding a solution for the remainder of these squatters from time to time.
This was said by the chairman of the committee, Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, during the JPPSN meeting held on Wednesday.
Apart from that, the Housing Development Corporation Sarawak (HDC) had also informed that 935 units of People’s Housing Plan (RPR) and People’s Housing Programme (PPR) houses are still vacant and open for applications — including squatters in Kuching, Serian, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri.
During the meeting, the issue of encroachment of government-owned and proprietary land was also discussed.
To avoid the related implications, the community is advised to always refer to the Land and Survey Department (JTS) to verify land status.
Encroachment of government land may be subject to action under Section 209 of the Sarawak Land Code (Chapter 81).
Dr Sim urged all parties to work together in addressing the issue of squatters and encroachment of government land which occurs in Sarawak. The committee also agreed to review the best strategy to handle the issue of squatters in Sarawak.
