RESIDENTS and activists are calling on Selangor authorities to halt the demolition operations at Kampung Papan in Pandamaran, Klang, pending further negotiations with state agencies and the developer.
The issue made headlines earlier this month after a demolition exercise involving 20 homes there sparked a commotion.
According to reports, almost two dozens of people -- including residents and activists -- were detained for allegedly trying to stop civil servants from carrying out the operation.
They group claimed that several occupied homes were torn down despite a notice stating that only vacant units would be demolished.
At a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today (Nov 17), Parti Sosialis Malaysia deputy chairman S. Arutchelvan said homeowners had yet to receive updates about their temporary housing.
Selangor housing and culture committee chairman Datuk Borhan Aman Shah had previously said residents would be offered temporary housing via Selangor’s Smart Rental Scheme.
“To date, there has been no detail offered about this housing,” said Arutchelvan.
“Statements after statements by the state government have simply come across as damage control and not actual attempts to help residents,” he said.
Arutchelvan said the authorities should be more compassionate towards the plight of Kampung Papan residents.
“They are not squatters.
"They are settlers in the area and they have been paying taxes there for decades,” he stressed.
Kampung Papan Residents Association vice-chairman Teoh Ah Guat said they had made many attempts to engage with authorities over the years, but to no avail.
She urged the state government to give its assurance that the remaining homes at the site would be untouched pending engagement with homeowners.
Long-time resident Thamilvarasu Chinia Krishnan said there were still some 40 homes in the area, and their owners were now uncertain about their future.
Earlier this week, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the state government was in the midst of building affordable housing for the affected residents.
He said the developer had agreed to allocate 2.8ha of land for the project that will be undertaken by Permodalan Negeri Selangor Bhd.
“But it will take time as it involves a comprehensive development.
"In the meantime, residents may stay at the Smart Sewa scheme housing,” he was quoted as saying.
