Kota kinabalu: The Sabah government has decided to designate several parcels of government land around the city, particularly in the Darau and Karambunai areas, as village reserve land, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. He stated that these lands will be officially gazetted as village areas to provide proper settlements for local residents currently living in squatter settlements.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Hajiji mentioned that this decision had been made previously at the state Cabinet level. The government recognizes that many squatter areas are occupied by local residents, and by converting the government land into a village reserve, residents will no longer have to worry about eviction or relocation. Hajiji shared these remarks during his address at the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah's (GRS) 'Rumah Kita, Kita Jaga' campaign in Kampung Darau.

Also present at the event were GRS candidate for the Darau state seat, Datuk Mohamed Razali Mohamed Razi, and GRS candidate for the Karambunai state seat, Datuk Arshad Idris. Hajiji, who also serves as the GRS chairman, noted that the Land and Survey Department is currently surveying the areas identified for this transformation.

Hajiji further emphasized plans to build more housing for the people, particularly in Karambunai and Darau. He highlighted the importance of supporting GRS candidates to ensure the smooth implementation of this plan. "On Nov 29, do not forget to vote for the GRS candidates so that we can return as the government and continue all our efforts to develop Sabah for the benefit of the people," he urged.

The Election Commission (EC) has set November 29 as the polling day.