Fire during eviction: NGO disputes 'short circuit' claim

 

The NGO Borneo Komrad has disputed reports suggesting that the fire that occurred at Kampung Kalansanan, near Inanam, Sabah, was accidental.

The fire broke out earlier today during an operation to evict alleged squatters in the area.

A Borneo Komrad representative told Malaysiakini that nearly 40 houses were destroyed in the blaze, contrary to reports that 15 homes were razed.

The representative also accused the officers carrying out the eviction and demolition of the houses of igniting the flames.

“The villagers were not notified. They (the authorities) just warned the villagers and gave them 10 minutes, and then suddenly, there was a fire.

“It is impossible to say that the fire was due to a short circuit when their electricity had been cut off before the incident happened,” the representative told Malaysiakini.

She claimed there were nearly 50 enforcement officers involved in the operation.

Earlier, several major news outlets reported that 15 squatter houses were destroyed by fire, “believed” to have been started by a short circuit during the demolition of the houses.

Nevertheless, Sinar Harian quoted Lintas fire and rescue station chief Agustavia Joe Guasi saying the cause of the fire is still under investigation but there are delays because the presence of illegal electrical connections at the scene made it unsafe.

Borneo Komrad said the incident occurred around noon and affected more than 40 families who have resided there for years.

Later, police denied allegations that the fire was set deliberately by the authorities, who stood by the claim that it was caused by a short circuit instead.

“At that time, police were between 50 and 60m away from the location in question. Police were behind and not involved in the front (area where the fire originated) and the fire has nothing to do with the (police) operational area,” Bernama quoted Kota Kinabalu police chief Kasim Muda as saying.

Malaysiakini is contacting the Kota Kinabalu Municipal Council for comment.

‘Increased oppression’

Borneo Komrad in a Facebook post lamented the action and said there has been an increase in “oppression” in the state.

Burnt copies of the Quran on the ground after the fire

Last week, the group highlighted the plight of several Bajau Laut villages in Semporna that were demolished and burnt down.

Bajau Laut communities in Pulau Bohey Dulang, Pulau Maiga, Pulau Bodgaya, Pulau Sebangkat, Pulau Tatangan, Pulau Salakan, and Pulau Sibuan were affected.

Sulabayan assemblyperson Jaujan Sambakong later said the demolition was carried out because the houses were built in a marine park, but urged for a less heavy-handed approach that seeks a win-win solution.

Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Christina Liew, meanwhile, cast the incident as an “evacuation” and cited the police as saying that some villagers had set their own homes ablaze and posted the videos online to gain sympathy. - Mkini