SHAH ALAM: A total of 19 residents in Kampung Jawa, Klang, who are affected by the West Coast Expressway (WCE) construction, have been given seven days from today to vacate their land to make way for the project.
State Housing and Culture Committee chairman Datuk Borhan Aman Shah, said the decision was reached after a meeting with the affected residents and relevant agencies, including WCE, the Selangor Land and Mines Office, and local authorities.
As an additional measure to assist those involved, the Selangor Housing and Property Board (LPHS) has agreed to provide temporary housing under the SMART Sewa Scheme.
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"Any objections may be referred to the court for a decision. This project of public interest must continue, as it has adhered to the procedures set," he said, noting that the Selangor legal adviser had provided guidance to ensure full compliance with existing requirements.
He said WCE will also provide compensation to the landowners involved, with 75% to be paid upfront, and the remaining 25% upon completion of the vacating process.
Compensation amounts will be based on the official valuation of each property.
Earlier media reports stated that the refusal of 19 landowners to vacate their properties along a 150-metre stretch had contributed to delays in the WCE project, which is currently more than 90% complete.
The WCE is a key national infrastructure project spanning 233km, connecting Banting, Selangor to Taiping, Perak, and serving as an alternative route to the North-South Expressway (PLUS) to help reduce congestion.
The ongoing land matter has delayed construction works in Section 3 by more than 20 months and impacted the overall progress of the expressway network, announced in 2012 with an estimated cost of RM7.07bil. - Bernama
