Taman Jinjang Baru squatters waiting to hear about the outcome of their meeting with the government.
Taman Jinjang Baru squatters can breathe easier for now as their eviction has been put off indefinitely while relocation arrangements are finalised.
The community had been ordered to vacate their homes by Sept 23, but the decision was reversed following a high-level meeting at Menara DBKL yesterday.
Kepong MCA chairman Tan Kok Eng said the settlement would remain there until further notice.
He told StarMetro they would discuss with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) arrangements for people’s housing project (PPR) flats and compensation for the households.
“A committee will be formed with relevant agencies to handle the matter and we will update the squatters accordingly.”
At the meeting were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif, representatives from the Federal Territories Department of the Director-General of Lands and Mines (JKPTG), MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng and residents’ representatives.
For the squatters, the postponement was welcome news after weeks of anxiety.
“We can stay put for now,” said squatter settlement representative Chanelle Chan, 36.
“We were all worried because some of us do not have a place to go.
“We were really hoping for housing units or at least a proper relocation.
“Now, we await the second meeting with the relevant agencies on the way forward,” she said.
StarMetro had earlier highlighted the community’s plight in November 2024, when residents received their first eviction notice from the Federal Land Commissioner.
This was followed by a second notice on April 7, 2025, issued by a legal firm acting for a private company that had leased the land.
The most recent notice, dated Sept 9, ordered them to leave by Sept 23.
Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng confirmed in a statement that at least 12 out of about 30 households from the settlement would be offered PPR flats.
“I have followed up with DBKL and they will inform the successful applicants of their housing unit location and further arrangements,” he said.
However, Lim cautioned that most of the squatters might not be able to secure units nearby.
“The PPR flats in and around Kepong are already full so the squatters have limited chances of being allocated a unit here,” he said.
While the allocations were a step forward, Lim stressed that the wider issue of affordable housing shortage was not addressed.
“There are over 30,000 applicants still waiting for PPR units across Kuala Lumpur.
“The government must speed up the construction of new homes, especially in areas with urgent demand such as Kepong.
“This is the only way to genuinely solve the housing crisis for tens of thousands of ordinary people,” he added.
