12 held for trying to stop demolition work

Twelve villagers from Kampung Hakka in Mantin who tried to stop a developer from demolishing two houses have been arrested.

PETALING JAYA: Twelve villagers from Kampung Hakka in Mantin, including Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (Jerit) and Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) activists, were arrested when they tried to stop two houses from being demolished in the village.

Jerit coordinator E Parameiswary said the villagers were just trying to protect the village from being demolished by developers embarking on a new township project.

She said the officer in charge of the Mantin police station ordered the villagers to be arrested without giving reasons.

Initially, eight villagers, including the activists, were arrested and later four more who went to the police station.

Parameiswary said the villagers were being forcefully evicted by the developers although the case was still in the Court of Appeal.

Kampung Hakka is a Chinese village whose residents have lived there for five generations. There are 40 families living there.

The village, which is on government land, has been sold to Mega Nine developers.

However, the case was brought to court by the villagers. After losing the case, they appealed to the Court of Appeal.

“The case is still pending at the Court of Appeal but the developers are going ahead with the project.

“Two houses have been demolished and compensation was not given.

“Right now, we do not know on whose side the police are on.

“We are just waiting outside the police station. We are worried we will be arrested if we go in,” said Parameiswary.

A police officer at the station said the matter was still under investigation.

“We are waiting for the investigating officer to interrogate them,” said the police officer who declined to be named.