Evicted family of nine from Kpg Gita Laut to be relocated to HDC flat, says minister

KUCHING (Dec 23): A family of nine, including six children, who had been living in deplorable conditions in Kampung Sungai Maong after being evicted from Kampung Gita Laut, will soon be relocated to a Housing Development Commission (HDC) flat here following intervention by the State Ministry of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development.

Its minister Dato’ Sri Fatimah Abdullah said the household consists of a 59-year-old woman, her two daughters, and six grandchildren aged between two and 13 years.

She said the family’s long-standing housing issue will be resolved through an integrated, multi-agency effort, and arrangements have been made for them to move into a vacant unit at the Dahlia Block of an HDC housing estate here.

“At present, the six children are receiving medical treatment at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH), while the adults are temporarily staying at Anjung Singgah (a welfare transit home),” she said when contacted.

Fatimah added that the two mothers are allowed to remain at SGH to accompany their children during examinations.

“The children were born out of wedlock, so there is no father figure in the household,” Fatimah explained.

She also thanked Tupong assemblyman Datuk Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman for facilitating the family’s placement in the HDC flat, which comes with six months of rental exemption.

“After the six-month period, they will be required to pay rent, but the amount is reasonable. One of the daughters is gainfully employed and is able to contribute,” she said.

Preparations are underway to make the flat habitable, including connecting electricity and water supply.

Fatimah stressed that the family’s previous squatter structure had been dismantled, as they had no legal right to occupy the land.

“They deserve to live in proper and dignified conditions,” she said.

The case drew public attention last week following a social media post, reportedly by a school headmaster, highlighting the plight of several students from the family.

The post described the eviction from Kampung Gita Laut and their temporary shelter on a relative’s land in Kampung Sungai Maong.

The living conditions were reported to be extremely poor, with a leaking roof, incomplete walls, rotting plywood flooring, and no access to electricity or water.

The post sparked widespread public concern and calls for assistance, prompting swift action from the authorities.

Fatimah emphasised that securing a permanent home for the family was the top priority.

“The most important thing is a place to live. They cannot continue living under such conditions,” she said, noting that temporary solutions alone would not address the family’s long-term needs.

evicted family Fatimah Abdullah HDC flat Kampung Gita Laut Kuching