Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has called on the government to ensure the welfare of affected individuals is safeguarded when carrying out evictions.

The Senallang assemblyman and Warisan president stressed that development should not come at the expense of the people’s well-being.

“Even if we issue a notice period, such as an eviction notice or ask them to move to another location, we must provide a place for them because they have families, wives, and maybe children who are attending school. Where will they stay… surely not on the side of the road,” he said during his Chinese New Year walkabout at Gaya Street on Sunday.

In recent years, a series of evictions have displaced thousands of residents in areas such as the Tanjung Aru low-cost flats, Kampung Sembulan Tengah, and most recently, in Sepanggar.

State housing board LPPB ordered the evictions of families at Tanjung Aru’s low-cost flats, although it has yet to publicly reveal its redevelopment plans for the area.

Meanwhile, Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu evicted residents from Kampung Sembulan Tengah to pave the way for the third phase of the Sembulan Urban Renewal Scheme project.

In Likas, authorities have evicted individuals to facilitate drainage construction.

“It is very disappointing. This issue is making life difficult for the people. We cannot just evict individuals without offering alternatives, such as renting a home or providing financial aid to cover deposits or monthly rent,” Shafie said, adding that these evictions have also affected many Sabahan Malaysians.

He urged the authorities to consider alternative housing or financial support to ease the burden on affected families. – January 20, 2025