Houseowners request delay in Kpg Sembulan Tengah demolitions until after Hari Raya

KOTA KINABALU (Jan 20): Houseowners affected by the urban renewal scheme in Kampung Sembulan Tengah are requesting that the Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) postpone demolition works until after Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Tanjung Aru assemblyman Datuk Junz Wong said that this was one of the requests made by the houseowners who continued paying house assessments to the DBKK until now.

“Apparently, many of them are still paying their house assessments amounting to over RM200 to DBKK,” he told reporters at the Warisan party Tanjung Aru office near here.

Junz added that Warisan had met with the mayor Dato’ Sri Dr Sabin Samitah on Dec 23 last year to discuss the issue.

DBKK reportedly informed them that houses to be removed first are those deemed structurally unsafe or associated with suspected illicit activities.

Houses that are still occupied and structurally sound will not be demolished for now, even though their land leases have expired.

He said about 26 houses in Kampung Sembulan Tengah are still occupied by families.

Some homeowners who are not full-time residents feel it would be unfair to demolish their homes, as they are not misusing utilities and their houses remain safe.

The residents are also requesting an official letter confirming compensation before any demolition takes place.

“During the meeting (with DBKK), the mayor promised that there will be compensation given, irrespective of whether the land lease has expired.

“But they have to bring it to the cabinet for the final decision as to how much and they cannot determine the amount as there are no developers yet,” said Junz.

He added that it would be inhumane to force houseowners to vacate on short notice, particularly when they continue paying bills and assessments.

Junz also noted that DBKK plans to upgrade the Sembulan area into a new township.

“We have no issue with that and the houseowners also have no objections towards any development as far as they were concerned,” he said.

He also said that he will be writing to DBKK concerning the peoples requests.