Fifteen families whose homes in Kampung Desa Hormat, Petaling Jaya were demolished recently to pave the way for the construction of a school are now living in tents, remaining steadfast in their decision not to relocate.

Most of the women and children are seeking shelter at a nearby kindergarten which is currently vacant due to the Chinese New Year holidays.

The 15 were among 148 families who lost their homes when their houses were torn down last Thursday in an operation involving the Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (MPPJ), Waterworks Department and Tenaga Nasional Bhd.

Also present were Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel.

It was later reported that some 140 people, including children, refused to budge even when an excavator began levelling the wooden squatter homes.

However, the families were later evacuated by MPPJ enforcement officers and police personnel.

The residents reportedly received a seven-day official eviction notice on Jan 24.

Basic amenities

An affected resident, Abu Bakar Basirudin told malaysiakini today that the squatters refused to move to the temporary residence in Lembah Subang because the living cost would be higher.

The 53-year-old hawker, who has been living in the area for the past 17 years, said the Lembah Subang flats also lacked basic amenities such as a mosque, school, clinic, market and public transportation.

Abu Bakar said all the squatters want is a permanent residence. He said the residents would accept any nearby temporary residence but not the one in Lembah Subang.

If the residents are not given a permanent residence, then they want to move to nearby long-houses, he said

I believed there are a lot of empty houses at the long-houses, he said, referring to long-houses located near Kampung Desa Hormat.

Those relocated to Lembah Subang are expected to wait for two years before their permanent residence in Kampung Lindungan, Petaling Jaya is ready.

Another squatter Zaisham Shah Bhari, 30, said residents had submitted a memorandum to Kelana Jaya state assemblyperson Mokhtar Dahlan last month but their homes were demolished before they had the chance to discuss their plight with the latter.

Zaisham also said residents had written twice to MPPJ and the developer, Mentari Properties Sdn Bhd to discuss the matter but they received no response from either party.