The squatters in Pujut 5, Miri are very disappointed with the attitude of the authorities that suddenly demolished their homes as early as 3am yesterday while they were still asleep. Approximately 13 houses were demolished during the operation.

According to one of the residents who lives in the area, the immigration authorities in cooperation with the General Operations Force (GOF) detained families residing in the house before the house demolition began.

Those arrested were sent to the Immigration Depot in Bekenu. About 80 people who did not have personal identification documents, including children and babies, were detained. According to residents and families who live there, families of those who have identity cards were also arrested in the large-scale operation against illegal immigrants on a large scale.

Most of the squatters there are from Sabah and many of them work as labourers in the construction industry. They have lived there for almost 20 years and all this while there had been no indication that their homes were be demolished or they were to be ordered to move.  

According to residents interviewed, previously officials from the Lands and Surveys Department had told them the areas where they live now would remain as a placement area and there would be no orders to evacuate.

Even if the authorities were to demolish their homes, they were told a warning notice would be given for them to prepare for the move, or at least ensure that clothing, kitchen items and appliances would not be damaged by demolition. Many household appliances were damaged as the poles of their homes were cut using a chainsaw.

After having lived there for many years, why do the authorities now want to detain them? Even if any of them are illegal immigrants, the authorities must not demolish their homes which have long been settled there. Some of the residents also have identification cards.

Some of those arrested were natives of Sarawak who did not have identification cards because their parents had not registered their birth before with the National Registration Department. They had also applied for identity cards at the National Registration Department, but until now no answer had been received on whether their applications had been approved or otherwise.

The residents deeply regret the way the authorities had dealt with their problems and considered them as illegal immigrants, even though some of them have passports and identity cards.

Although elected representatives had said no notice was necessary for operations against illegal immigrants on a large scale, most of those arrested were squatters that had long been settled there. The authorities do not have to demolish their homes in an inhumane manner as there were small children and babies who need a place to stay.

Living in uncertainty

Those confirmed as illegal immigrants should only be detained without their homes having to be demolished, as this would leave their families living in uncertainty like people afflicted by natural disasters as there is no place for them to take shelter.

Now they are staying temporarily in the rubble of their homes and face considerable danger as the pillars may collapse at any time. They also complain that their electrical equipment and generators were damaged during the demolition. There are also some who are living in tents donated by members of the public who sympathise with their plight.

Until when do they have to stay in this situation, and what about the fate of small children and babies who needs a place to stay? Will the authorities provide temporary shelter for them or let them live haphazardly after their houses were demolished?

They demand that the authorities be fair on them, because they are also human beings and not animals to be treated in such a way without compassion, especially the small children and babies who need shelter. Some are still in detention at the Immigration Depot.

Although large-scale operations against illegal immigrants are good for national security, this does not mean that squatters without identity cards are also to be detained as if they are criminals that threaten national security. Most of those detained in the operation are those who have families and have long been settled in Sarawak.

We urge the authorities to act professionally in dealing with illegal immigrants and undocumented squatters who are mostly natives of Sarawak and that they be given an opportunity to find a place to stay so they would not be neglected and become a social problem after their homes were demolished.

The cooperation of the authorities is very much appreciated to overcome squatter problems and those who do not have identity cards should be treated fairly and humanely and they should be provided with a temporary shelter.

JOFRI JARAIEE is Sarawak PAS deputy commissioner III-cum-Miri PAS chief.