KOTA KINABALU: A squatter colony located on privately-owned land here, which mushroomed during the Covid-19 pandemic, has been cleared out.

       It was reported in February that 86 squatter units had been built on land near Kampung Cenderakasih in Likas during the movement restriction period.

       The landowners had said that they had not visited the site for a while.

       Community Development Officer (CDO) Dexter Chin, who was at the location with landowners who wished to be known as Foo and Lou on Thursday (March 24), found the last of the squatters had finally left as scheduled, with the coordination from the Kota Kinabalu City Hall enforcement team.

       "The squatters were issued with eviction notices in February and were given 21 days to vacate the area.

       "I also advised private landowners to keep their land properly maintained and fenced up to prevent squatting in their land.

       "One of the landowners (Lou) has already engaged workers to fence up his land to deter a recurrence," said Chin, who is also SAPP Likas constituency liaison committee (CLC) deputy chairman in a statement on Friday (March 25).

       Meanwhile, the landowners said they were relieved to finally "get back" their land and were grateful for the assistance and coordination received from all quarters involved.