Salahuddin Ayub rues 'inaction' over plight of Johor villagers

Parti Amanah Negara deputy president Salahuddin Ayub expressed regret over alleged inaction by Johor Menteri Besar Mohamed Khaled Nordin on the current plight of villagers from Kampung Bakar Batu, Johor Baru.

In a statement, Salahuddin said the group had yesterday gathered outside Khaled's office to submit a memorandum of protest against an eviction order from their homes, reportedly built on state land.

Salahuddin said the group, also accompanied by DAP's Pengkalan Rinting assemblyperson Cheo Yee How, was earlier prevented from gathering at the state assembly building.

"I regret the action of certain leaders who instructed security officers to prevent the gathering from being held.

"The state assembly belongs to the people and voices of the people, just like the group from Kampung Bakar Batu. They should be heard instead of being ignored," he said.

Amanah's news portal Malaysia Dateline yesterday quoted Bakar Batu villager Norman Abdul Hamid expresseing regret over claims allegedly made by Khaled's representative that they had failed to follow proper procedures in seeking assistance from Amanah and DAP representatives.

Salahuddin similarly objected to the claims and instead accused Khaled of being silent over the long-standing issue which had been reportedly raised since 2009.

"I would like to stress that the statement made on behalf of the menteri besar is baseless.

"The menteri besar should go down to the village and understand the plight of the villagers' who were all these while forced to beg for their rights," he said, adding that Khaled is being irresponsible over problems faced by the people.

"He (Khaled) should not be afraid or be embarrassed to face the villagers if he is in the right," Salahuddin said.

Malay-daily Sinar Harian on May 10 reported that 43 households in Kampung Bakar Batu were granted a temporary stay order against the eviction notice, pending a decision on their case filed at the Johor Baru High Court.

They represent the remaining households from over 70 families who had lived in the area since the 1950s and rejected an offer for compensation from a project developer.

According to the Sinar Harian report, 34 families had in December 2012 accepted a compensation of RM15,000 and were moved to the Sungai Melana People's Housing Project.- Mkini