KUCHING: Urban poverty is a troubling issue that has resulted in the mushrooming of squatter colonies in the city, one of which is situated at Chawan Road cemetery here. Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii, Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) Sarawak commissioner Dr Madeline Berma and Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong visited the squatters at Lorong 13, Chawan Road on Thursday in an effort to better understand the situation. Dr Yii said they were aiming for holistic and sustainable long-term and short-term plans to tackle urban poverty. “One of our key concerns is the education of the children.
I was informed that not all children here are going to school. We want to find out the reasons for this — whether it is logistical or monetary issues, we will see how we can help,” he said. He pointed out that proper education was a key factor in eradicating poverty. “We also want to make sure that all children here have proper documentation,” said Dr Yii during the visit, adding that he would work together with Suhakam to ensure that the children were properly registered with the National Registration Department (JPN). According to Dr Yii, another issue was healthcare, whereby a number of sick and handicapped people were living at the Chawan Road squatter site. He assured that he would consult some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or doctors to see if a general health screening could be carried out for the squatters.
“If needed, we can then refer them to the needed healthcare facilities, including mental health as some of them also need psychological help,” Dr Yii stated. He was aware that various NGOs had visited the site, and he hoped that they could collaborate to properly address the matter. Speaking of the reason behind the existence of the squatter sites, Dr Yii commented that numerous people from the rural areas often ventured into the cities in search of jobs or even education opportunities. “However, due to limited opportunities they are unable to afford housing, leading them to become squatters,” he explained.
Dr Yii noted that Chawan Road squatter settlement had existed for over 30 years and about 80 percent of the squatters were Ibans, followed by Bidayuhs and some Chinese. He believed that there were approximately 50 to 60 families living in the squatter site, many in dilapidated houses. “Some families share a house,” he said.
He disclosed that the land belonged to the Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU), which made obtaining basic necessities such as water and electricity challenging because the squatters do not own the land. “We will see how to address this in the long-term. We may also need the cooperation of the state government,” Dr Yii said, adding that relocations would be dependent on the state government. During their visit, Dr Yii distributed stationery to the children at the squatter settlement, who delightedly received the gifts.
