Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew has explained the recent eviction of the Bajau Laut community in Semporna which received criticisms from many quarters.
According to sources from the police involved in the operation, some homeowners burned their houses during the absence of the operations team in the area for the purpose of going viral on social media and garnering sympathy and attention from netizens, said Liew in a statement.
"This operation was carried out due to security issues at the district level, following shooting incidents in Darvel Bay and cross-border criminal activities in the unauthorised settlement locations. The sovereignty of the nation's laws in force in this issue must be upheld," she said.
From the perspective of compliance with the Parks Enactment 1984, Liew said the area involved, the Tun Sakaran Marine Park, is one of the areas proclaimed as a park area or a state park.
SPONSORED CONTENT Hajiji says positive economic achievements prove Sabah govt’s commitment Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, emphasised that the positive economic achievements over the past three years underscore the Sabah government’s steadfast commitment to both the administration and development of the state. Read more Any violations of provisions under the enactment, such as fishing, erecting structures without permission, and farming, empower Sabah Parks to take actions accordingly, she added.
"The issue of deforestation on Bodgaya Island for agricultural purposes and the construction of over 200 structures without permission is an example of a violation against the enactment."
* Read full report in tomorrow's print paper or log in or sign up for e-paper and premium online news access.
* Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.