SPECIAL REPORT While the rest packed their bags, stripped their houses and sold them to scrap dealers upon hearing of a demolition exercise, one man continues to live in solitude amid the ruins of a squatter settlement in Kg Cempaka, Petaling Jaya.

Leong Thye Boey, who is mentally-challenged, is dicing with danger by remaining in the deserted settlement, which is now frequented by various shady characters.

It is said that Leong, 41, is adamant about living in the house he was raised. His family have also tried in vain to dissuade him.

"We don't know if he is aware of the dangers. We are rather worried. We have also told the police about him," said a villager when met yesterday.

The rest of the villagers vacated their houses after receiving the notice of eviction in May from the Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (MPPJ).

The 80-odd families have been provided transit houses in Kota Damansara.

Meanwhile, Leong's elder brother Wei Kleong said the former would sometimes remain in his room for days.

Jobless for 10 years

According to him, his brother has been unemployed for the past 10 years and is prone to violent outbursts. He has even been jailed on one occasion for assaulting a relative.

Wei Kleong (second from left) said he and another brother, Wei Chan, both construction workers, are the ones who support Leong.

"I am already 51, while Wei Chan is disabled yet we still have to do hard labour as construction workers.

"Furthermore, we have to provide for Thye Boey (Leong), even though he can be violent to us, our family and friends," he added when met.

According to him, their 85-year-old mother also visits Leong in the mornings to ensure that he is safe.

Leong's adamance in wanting to stay at the house has also been a thorn for MPPJ. However, the council has agreed not to demolish the house until he moves out.

Due to his unpredictable temper and violent reactions, the Social Welfare Department is also hesitant in taking him.

Sad farewell

In a related development, the other villagers are now incurring high living cost since moving from their houses, which were dismantled and sold for between RM200 to RM400.

Although MPPJ has allowed them to live rent free in these 'transit homes', the cost for other things are forcing them to dig deep into their pockets.

For example, they are now forced to pay RM100 bus fare for their children when in the village, they could walk to school.

One villager, Moh Wan Sang, 48 (photo left), who headed the negotiations committee with MPPJ, said leaving their old houses has been a painful process.

"We have been separated. It (the communal feeling) cannot be the same again," said the renovations constructor, in between drags on his cigarette.

"In the evenings, some of the former villagers still come and visit the remains of the village. They have spent their entire lives here. Surely they have a lot of attachment to this place," he added.

Families which used to stay under one roof had to be spilt up, as the low-cost apartments assigned to the villagers cannot accommodate second and third families.

Grateful to MPPJ

However, the villagers are optimistic about their permanent accommodation, which is a series of low-cost houses in Kayu Ara that will be ready by 2007. They will cost between RM35,000 and RM40,000.

Despite all the hardship endured, the villagers are still grateful for the professionalism and concern shown by the MPPJ.

The council's president Ahmad Termizi Putih had met Moh and other committee members on numerous occasions to hear their grouses and demands.

According to the villagers, another instrumental figure was MPPJ planning development director Sharifah Marhaini Syed Ali.

They also expressed gratitude to DAP international bureau secretary Ronnie Liu, who acted as their advisor and brought their plight to the attention of Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo.

A dinner was held on Sept 9 in Kg Cempaka to honour MPPJ, Liu and the police for their help and cooperation.

While Ahmad Termizi was unable to attend the dinner as he was overseas, he extended his appreciation via telephone to Moh. Liu, along with several DAP leaders and police representatives were present.