Ramasamy: Relentless demolitions, evictions, unresolved land issues brewing in Selangor

 

LAND departments in the state of Selangor have been suddenly energised to evict the so-called illegal settlers and residents from lands acquired by the state.

Recently, homes in Kampung Papan, Pandamaran, Klang were demolished despite the opposition and appeals to the Menteri Besar of the state.

The process of eviction involved the arrests and detention of individuals – notably socual activists – who spoke on behalf of the residents.

Chances are that the homes of the 19 residents in Kampungg Jawa, Batu Ampat, Klang might be demolished to make way for completion of the West Coast Expressway stretch Banting and Taiping (WCE).

About 1.9 acres of land was acquired by the state with inadequate compensation to the residents. The residents have since filed a case in the court asking for a better compensation.

I understand the court will decide on whether the correct procedures were adhered to in the land acquisition process. Later the court will decide on whether the compensation was adequate or not.

Eviction looms at Batu Caves

Not far from these places, long-time residents of Batu Caves Indian settlement were issued with eviction notices by the Gombak land office.

It is understood that the residents were issued with land titles and leases over long period of time. How these residents became illegal squatters seems to be mystery.

Apparently, the Selangor Menteri Besar’s office has refused to entertain the complaints lodged by those in the Batu Caves Indian settlement. Lately, the residents have appealed for the intervention of the Selangor ruler

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari was equally arrogant in not entertaining the meetings called by the residents in Kampung Papan and Kampung Jawa.

After decades following independence, the resolution of land matters affecting the hundreds and thousands of residents remain unresolved.

One would think that the land departments under the jurisdiction of the state would have updated land matters including the required changes to the land acquisition law.

The land acquisition law in the country needs review and change. The three cases mentioned above does not include other housing settlements in the state of Selangor that are considered problematic especially in relation to the law.

The Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led coalition government came to power with the promise to bring about reforms particularly on the laws governing land matters.

Unfortunately, what was promised never really materialised. The Selangor state government under PH-led coalition seems no different from the earlier Barisan Nasional (BN) government with UMNO in control.

Ironically, some residents I spoke to in Kampung Jawa recently are of the opinion that the BN government was more open to discussion than the PH-led coalition government. The residents think that PKR and DAP leaders do not entertain them. 

Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.

- Focus Malaysia.