KOTA KINABALU: Squatters living at Gaya Island here have been asked to leave to pave the way for beautification works, says Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

       The Chief Minister said that the government has plans to beautify the island and turn it into a tourist attraction, but added that the plan has been hampered by squatters.

       “There are some resorts here so we want cleanliness and safety to be a priority,” he said.

       Asked how many of the squatters would be involved in the relocation to the mainland or if there was a timeline for this, Hajiji said the details have not been finalised.

       “We have yet to decide on how many people will be placed on the mainland. We do not want squatter areas anymore,” he said.

       He said the initial plan is to build PPR homes in the Sepanggar area and then relocate local squatters there but added that the speed at which the plan will materialise depends on Federal Government allocations.

       “Pulau Gaya has a special place in our history and it is located just about a five-minute boat ride from the state capital. We need to leverage this,” Hajiji said at the Kembara Kasih Ramadan programme at SK Pulau Gaya on Sunday (April 7).

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       He said the Putatan Parliament Office under Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya also plans to build a Health Clinic on the island.

       “What is important is that the people here continue to maintain unity, security and cleanliness,” he said.

       Earlier, Hajiji accompanied by Petagas Assemblyman Datuk Awang Ahmad Sah Awang Sahari also presented school fees assistance to 70 pupils from the office of the Petagas Assemblyman.

       Later, Hajiji together with Awang Ahmad Sah, Shahelmey, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Ariffin Arif and Yayasan Sabah Director Datuk Ghulam Haidar Bahadar Khan presented Hari Raya contributions to the community.