Squatters along Sungai Tebrau to be relocated

JOHOR government plans to relocate the residents of 54 squatter villages found along Sungai Tebrau, said Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor.

“We won’t demolish the homes of local squatters but our responsibility is to provide new housing for them,” said the state housing and local government committee chairman.

He said Malaysians among the residents would be offered houses but foreigners staying in squatter houses would be issued notices to vacate before their houses were demolished.

He was speaking during the launch of a public participation programme for Johor Baru City Council’s (MBJB) Sungai Tebrau Special Area Plan (RKK) 2035.

“Our desire is to make Sungai Tebrau cleaner and at the same time, we want to ensure that development along the riverbanks is more controlled,” he said.

MBJB is working to raise the quality of water and surrounding area of three rivers, including Sungai Tebrau, according to Johor Baru mayor Datuk Mohd Noorazam Osman.

The other two are Sungai Segget and Sungai Skudai.

The city council’s RKK 2035 is key to the state’s efforts to improve the river’s quality.

Mohd Noorazam said the RKK draft was prepared under Section 16B of the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (Act 172) for the purpose of preserving and improving the environment.

“River management and land use planning cannot be seen in isolation and must be viewed comprehensively,” he said when interviewed after the launch.

“River preservation must involve all parties including the government, the private sector, non-governmental organisations, and communities.”

Mohd Noorazam also said the Sungai Tebrau RKK study had been completed along with a monitoring system for its implementation.

“This RKK also takes into account the implementation of smart cities and digitalisation of the public sector.

“The publicity and public participation programme for the Sungai Tebrau RKK draft report will be held until Aug 12,” he said.

Mohd Noorazam invited the public to give feedback on the RKK draft report at Menara MBJB and Johor Town and Country Planning Department (PLANMalaysia) or at the MBJB website.