It’s ironic that the squatters staying along Jalan CMS is
adjacent to one of the richest company in the state, the CMS which is divided
by a cement wall.
Some of the 100 over family members had been there for the past
30 to 40 years in such bleak situation that it makes one wonder that in a rich
state like Sarawak, there are still below poverty families staying within the
city.
I have been receiving calls the last week from residents in
the area appealing for help. The 60 meter road from their squatters were at
times covered with flooding during high tide stranding them in their homes.
The concerned parents have to carry their children numbering
over 10 school going across the flooded roads for them so as not to miss
schools. At times, due to the flood, families who were out of their houses have
to wait until almost midnight for the water to subside.
A resident complained that for the past two years, two
tongkangs had been ferrying along Sg. Apong which is behind their homes causing
soil erosion. There were some dredging going on at times causing the 60 meter
long road to collapse and sink.
The house owners although poor tried to help themselves by
buying a few lorries of stones to make the road higher. But it did not help
much when there is King tide. A resident said they would be cut of at certain
time of the night and day at least once or twice a month.
Another resident said if help did not come on time, the
whole road would collapse next month making it inaccessible for them.
I went to the site twice to assess the situation and had
called for a press conference there. I wanted the media to see for themselves
the dilapidated houses the residents there owned and the appalling condition
they were forced to live. And the road has been an additional headache to their
problems.
I will write to the relevant authority for some form of
help. Today, I hope that the voluntarily association and NGO like Rotary Club,
Lion’s club or corporate bodies would come out to extend their help to the
residents.
The most pressing need is a proper road for the residents.
As school is about to open soon, the children should be able to go to school
without worrying about high tide.
The Chief Minister had recently said he would help resettle
squatters to solve the squatter problems in the State. I agreed that the 20 odd
families should be resettled as they are living from hand to mouth and could
hardly afford to buy a house. I hope the CM would mean business this time by
making sure the squatters are resettled. All are waiting for the next course of
action from the CM.
