KOTA KINABALU: Kota Kinabalu police has denied allegations in a video that went viral on social media, that the authorities set makeshift houses next to the Kampung Kalansanan Inanam water village ablaze.
The fire that razed 26 makeshift houses adjacent to Kampung Kalanansan, Inanam, here, this morning is believed to have been caused by a short circuit, said Kota Kinabalu District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Kasim Muda.
He added that the fire had nothing to do with the area where the operation was conducted.
The operation area for illegal immigrants, drugs, and crimes was more than 50 meters away from the fire location, he added.
"In fact, this fire area is not our operational area. Furthermore, the police entered from the back and were not involved at all in this area.
"The video being circulated is completely untrue in alleging that the police started this fire," he said when met at the scene this evening.
Kasim said he himself met with residents to explain to them that the police did not come to burn their houses.
"Upon realising the incident, the police also called the fire brigade for assistance to prevent the fire from spreading further.
"It is illogical for us to burn this area, not only the authorities but also the state government is not so cruel as to burn these houses.
"Never in history have we burned houses owned by either non-locals or locals residing in this country," he added.
Meanwhile, regarding the cause of the fire, Kasim said police are still awaiting forensic reports from the fire department.
However, he said there is a high possibility that the fire was caused by a short circuit due to unauthorised connections in the area.
"Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) has also cut off three illegal connections to prevent the fire from spreading," he said.
