Kg Papan residents protest for fair resettlement after demolitions

 

Several residents from Kampung Papan, along with activists and PSM members, held a demonstration outside developer Melati Ehsan Holdings Berhad’s office in Kuala Lumpur today.

The protest, which began around 10am, was to demand a fairer resettlement offer following the demolition of residents’ homes last week.

Kampung Papan Residents Association committee member, Thamil Valarasu, said 27 occupied houses had already been torn down, while 44 others remain untouched as they still have a pending court decision.

“They want to show their power; they are oppressing us. Many of us have built and bought houses here over the decades.

“We should be offered compensation or replacement homes of equivalent value. That is their place, but the land is mine,” the 55-year-old said.

Thamil added that residents are still seeking clarification directly from Melati Ehsan, who he said never directly negotiated with residents.

The association’s deputy chairperson, Teoh Ah Guat, 63, called on the Selangor government to act against the developer for demolishing occupied homes.

“We are only demanding the compensation and resettlement promised by the menteri besar. We are sad the government does not want to help us. Where is the government’s authority?” she said.

Before today’s protest, the residents held a series of demonstrations outside the Selangor state government building in Shah Alam and in front of Bank Negara.

Occupied houses demolished

More than 30 participants joined the demonstration today, including activists from Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram), Aksi, and Mandiri.

The protest lasted nearly an hour and was monitored by about 15 police personnel. The atmosphere was tense but remained under control, with residents holding placards depicting their dissatisfaction.

Chants of “Hidup rakyat” (Long live the people), “Bagi rumah kami” (Give us our homes), and “Tolak pemaju zalim” (Reject cruel developers) echoed throughout the gathering.

The residents alleged that the developer breached assurances given by the state government that occupied homes would not be demolished.

As of last week, Malaysiakini’s checks found that more than 10 occupied houses have been demolished by the property developer, without offering compensation or temporary accommodation for the residents.

A representative from the developer, who was on site, said they received instructions to vacate the houses “per what is stated in the court order”.

Malaysiakini has contacted the developer for a response.

Legal mess

On Nov 14, Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari claimed the long-running land dispute in Kampung Papan spiralled into a legal mess after those involved took it to court instead of reaching a compromise.

He said this ultimately derailed the state’s settlement attempt.

“There are too many cases. Some were even advised to continue their court proceedings… This is a case that should have been resolved from the start, but some wanted to press on, those who were stubborn, and those who prolonged the court process, and in the end, it benefited no one.

“We tried our very best, but we must acknowledge that the land belongs to the company concerned, which has been proven to have purchased it from Bank Negara. It wasn’t bought from the state government. The state government only tried to help resolve the matter,” said Amirudin.

However, PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan accused the Selangor government of lying to control the fallout over the demolition. - Mkini