Selangor settlers urge MB's intervention in land ownership issue

Some 50 second-generation settlers from Felda Bukit Ceraka, Kuala Selangor have urged Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali to intervene in the issue of land allegedly being given to "outsiders" and "cronies" linked to members of their local residents' association.

Group spokesperson Faizal Rahman told reporters outside the Selangor state secretariat office in Shah Alam that 281 applications were submitted through the Kuala Selangor District Council in 2015, but only 119 names were approved earlier this year.

"What has happened to the other applications? We also want to know how come approvals were given to outsiders while sidelining the first and second generation settlers.

"We are seeking the menteri besar's cooperation to cancel all the approvals given so far pending an investigation," said Faizal, as he submitted a memorandum of protest on behalf of 700 Felda Bukit Cherakah villagers to Azmin's political secretary Mat Shuhaimi Shafiei.

"In our memorandum, we have listed nine demands, including for an investigation to be carried out,” said Faizal (photo).

Of the 119 names, Faizal claimed that some 85 percent were from "other areas," including individuals with ties to local PAS or Umno leaders through their residents' association.

At present, Faizal said the distributed land and other surrounding lots had remained vacant, although there were individuals who had used the area to plant palm oil trees.

Earlier, he led seven of the settlers into the state secretariat building for a brief meeting with Shuhaimi.

Also present was Amanah-linked Felda NGO chairperson Mazlan Aliman, who accompanied the group and pledged his own party's commitment towards assisting them.

Mazlan added that Amanah strategy director Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, the former Kuala Selangor MP, had also promised to follow up on the matter.

Shuhaimi said Azmin was unable to meet with the group today, having just returned to official duty this morning after suffering from an annular tear of a spinal disk last week.

-Mkini