Responding to objections from local residents, Sepanggar MP Azis Jamman said a 6.7-hectare site, which is state reserve land, was proposed as the temporary settlement by Kota Kinabalu City Hall.

“I will visit a few more locations that have been proposed, but the final decision is with the state government.

“I will follow whatever decision is made by the state government after giving my input as the MP,” said Aziz who is also the deputy home minister.

Some 250 Kampung Darau residents yesterday organised a peaceful gathering to oppose the plan to build the temporary settlement for victims of a fire in Kampung Cenderamata II in Likas here that left 783 people homeless last week.

The residents’ representative, Ashim Jamat, urged the government to reconsider the plan. The residents also asked the government to grant them the land which they had applied for several times without success.

Azis said the Darau villagers’ applications for the land were rejected during the Barisan Nasional administration.

“This means the state government had its own plans for the land. But whatever it is, a decision has not been finalised,” he added.

The fire last Tuesday destroyed more than 150 houses. Among the victims were about 100 foreigners.

Sabah villagers protest plan to build shelter for fire victims