Action against Rohingya settlement ongoing since 2016, says Selangor MB

 Amirudin Shari says authorities have carried out repeated enforcement operations, including issuing notices and compounds, and demolitions.

Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari urged the public not to be misled by viral social media claims about the Rohingya settlement. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Government agencies have been taking action against a residential building occupied by the Rohingya at Kampung Baru Sungai Makau in Hulu Langat, Selangor, since 2016, says menteri besar Amirudin Shari.

Amirudin said enforcement measures over the years have included warning notices, compounds, investigations, integrated operations, and demolition exercises carried out by multiple government agencies.

“For the record, action and enforcement against structures built without approval in the area are not new,” he said in a Facebook post today.

Amirudin said the Hulu Langat district and land office, the Kajang municipal council ( MPKj), the Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS), the police, immigration department and other agencies had all been involved in enforcement efforts.

He said the state government would continue to monitor the situation and take action in accordance with existing laws, and urged the public to rely on official information rather than unverified claims circulating online.

Videos of dilapidated flats allegedly occupied by the Rohingya in Sungai Tekali recently went viral on social media.

The Hulu Langat district and land office said in a statement today the multi-storey residential building at the centre of the controversy is located mainly on privately owned land in Ulu Langat, with a small portion encroaching on a road reserve.

It said several structures had been built illegally on the land and an adjacent river reserve, and were previously occupied by members of the Rohingya community.

According to the district and land office, notices for unlawful occupation under Section 425 of the National Land Code were issued in 2017, 2020, 2021 and most recently on March 13, 2025.

A demolition operation was also carried out in 2017 by the district and land office together with LUAS, the police, MPKj, the public works department, Tenaga Nasional Berhad, and the department of irrigation and drainage.

MPKj also issued separate notices and compounds between 2016 and 2021 for the construction of buildings without written approval.

LUAS has also opened an investigation under the LUAS Enactment 1999 against those responsible for building unauthorised structures.

Meanwhile, 42 foreigners were detained during a joint police-immigration operation in the area on Feb 28 for suspected immigration offences.

The district and land office said demolition of the multi-storey residential building would be carried out in accordance with the law, and reaffirmed its commitment to acting against encroachment on government land.

Dusun Tua assemblyman Johan Abd Aziz had said the Rohingya settlement issue had persisted because landowners allowed foreigners to build and occupy structures illegally, including providing access to water and electricity.

Johan said enforcement action should not focus solely on the occupants, but also on landowners who facilitate such activities.

The issue resurfaced after a viral video highlighted a four-storey building believed to be occupied by members of the Rohingya community in the area. - FMT