October 30, 2016
By Olivia Miwil
olivia@nst.com.my
SIMPLE STRUCTURES: Demolished houses are easily rebuilt, says utility spokesman
KOTA KINABALU: The presence of a large number of squatter settlements in the state is due to the speed at which houses are rebuilt after they are demolished.
Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) recently reported RM64 million in losses this year due to the 178,000 squatter homes stealing electricity from power lines. The figures are based on a census taken three years ago.
The illegal power connections not only cause a revenue loss and power disruptions, but also resulted in the electrocution of a fireman as he was putting out a bush fire near a squatter colony in Sandakan last year.
A SESB spokesperson said, over the years, there had been many operations to demolish squatter settlements set up by illegal immigrants, but the houses would be rebuilt within days.
He said Sandakan, Tawau, Lahad Datu and Semporna were among the areas with the highest incidences of electricity theft.
Sandakan Municipal Council enforcement officer Irman Tajuddin Edy said illegal immigrants who escaped arrest would usually hide in secluded areas.
"As the structures of squatter houses are simple, they take only two weeks to complete.
"Since 2014, the municipal council has demolished 2,067 houses. Some of them were in the Eastern Sabah Security Command area," he said.
Infectious diseases physician Dr Timothy William said squatter areas could be the source of food and waterborne infectious diseases, such as cholera, typhoid and leptospirosis.
"It is due to settlements having poor sanitation, no clean water or sewage management and overcrowding.
"The inability of illegal immigrants to pay for healthcare can lead to morbidity and mortality, and spread of diseases."
By Olivia Miwil
olivia@nst.com.my
SIMPLE STRUCTURES: Demolished houses are easily rebuilt, says utility spokesman
KOTA KINABALU: The presence of a large number of squatter settlements in the state is due to the speed at which houses are rebuilt after they are demolished.
Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) recently reported RM64 million in losses this year due to the 178,000 squatter homes stealing electricity from power lines. The figures are based on a census taken three years ago.
The illegal power connections not only cause a revenue loss and power disruptions, but also resulted in the electrocution of a fireman as he was putting out a bush fire near a squatter colony in Sandakan last year.
A SESB spokesperson said, over the years, there had been many operations to demolish squatter settlements set up by illegal immigrants, but the houses would be rebuilt within days.
He said Sandakan, Tawau, Lahad Datu and Semporna were among the areas with the highest incidences of electricity theft.
Sandakan Municipal Council enforcement officer Irman Tajuddin Edy said illegal immigrants who escaped arrest would usually hide in secluded areas.
"As the structures of squatter houses are simple, they take only two weeks to complete.
"Since 2014, the municipal council has demolished 2,067 houses. Some of them were in the Eastern Sabah Security Command area," he said.
Infectious diseases physician Dr Timothy William said squatter areas could be the source of food and waterborne infectious diseases, such as cholera, typhoid and leptospirosis.
"It is due to settlements having poor sanitation, no clean water or sewage management and overcrowding.
"The inability of illegal immigrants to pay for healthcare can lead to morbidity and mortality, and spread of diseases."
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