KUALA LUMPUR: The villagers of Kampung Sungai Baru in Kampung Baru here had held out hope that there would be an extension of the order for them to vacate.
However, they were left disappointed and angry when enforcement officers moved in.
Johari Zakaria was one such resident. “It’s all gone. I feel like a refugee now,” he said.
He was among 15 residents of the almost one century-old village, who had refused to move out although their area is now earmarked for redevelopment.
Johari, 59, was left trying to arrange transportation to salvage what little he could, along with his 85-year-old mother Zabeda, after the officers tore down the gates, doors and windows of the houses, leaving broken glass and cement strewn across the floor.
Earlier, police had given the families until noon to vacate their homes or risk having the doors broken down.
Panic ensued as residents scrambled to pack their belongings, with many still under the impression that they had been granted an extension.
Johari’s son Asyraf was at work when he received the news.
“I fear for my family’s safety. My mother and grandmother have already moved to a relative’s house, but my father is still there trying to move what he can. My grandmother has lived here since she was a child. This is devastating,” he lamented.
The eviction yesterday was carried out under a writ of vacant possession against the residents.
The court-appointed bailiff, assisted by police and other agencies, cut electricity supply to the homes before removing gates, doors and windows.
The operation turned tense when Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Sulizmie Affendi Sulaiman sustained a head injury, believed to have been caused by a rock thrown at him.
Photographs of his injury went viral, prompting public concern.
Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department deputy director Datuk Mohamad Suzrin Mohamad Rodhi said the General Operations Force was on standby to assist if required.
The redevelopment plan for Kampung Sungai Baru was first announced in 2016, involving the replacement of 64 terrace houses and 264 PKNS flats with a high-rise mixed development.
While most of the flat dwellers agreed to the project, some terrace house owners opposed, delaying progress until the developer invoked the Land Acquisition Act 1960 in 2021.
In July this year, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the redevelopment was expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026, with the project’s layout and building plans approved and awaiting technical clearance from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and other agencies.
Residents argue that the compensation offered by the developer at RM450 per sq ft is far below market rates.
‘We wanted RM1,000 per sq ft. The land has no restrictions, they can afford to pay more,” said Asyraf.
