Kg Papan residents protest outside Bank Negara-linked firm, submit memo

 

A group of residents from Kampung Papan, Klang, staged a protest in Kuala Lumpur outside TPPT Sdn Bhd, the Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) agency tasked with rescuing abandoned housing projects, demanding urgent action to resolve their long-standing crisis.

Joining the residents was Parti Sosialis Malaysia deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan, as they submitted a memorandum containing five questions.

The residents’ representative, Teoh Ah Guat, 63, voiced the community’s determination.

“We are not illegal occupants. We have been here since before independence. As the original landowner, TPPT cannot wash its hands of this and simply allow us to be evicted,” he said.

He added that they would continue to “fight for their rights” until a new housing offer is finalised.

The roots of the conflict go back decades. In 1995, the Selangor government reportedly transferred ownership of roughly 189.67 acres (76.8ha) of land to TPPT.

Kampung Papan residents handing over a memorandum to a TPPT Sdn Bhd representative today

By 2007, TPPT had reportedly handed development rights to a private developer. The situation escalated in 2020 when the developer secured a court order to evict the residents.

Malaysiakini is seeking TPPT’s response regarding the latest developments.

Answers sought

In the memorandum, Arutchelvan outlined the community’s demands, pressing TPPT for answers.

“Why did TPPT not build houses after acquiring the land, and why was the land handed over to another developer?” he asked.

In addition, the residents want to know why TPPT, as the landowner, allowed the developer to obtain an eviction order instead of resolving the housing issue.

“And what is TPPT’s actual role - a profit-driven company or a public welfare body?” he asked.

Arutchelvan, who also advises the Kampung Papan Action Committee, stressed that the community had previously agreed to a settlement offer during a 2018 Selangor Economic Action Council (MTES) meeting. The plan promised 20 x 70-feet terraced houses at RM99,000 each, yet the project never materialised.

“This is not about asking for charity, but demanding what was promised.

“TPPT is a subsidiary of BNM, a national financial institution. If they wash their hands of this, who else will be held accountable for this promise?” he added. - Mkini