Thirty-four people were taken into police custody after they tried to prevent the demolition of some 300 squatter houses in Kampung Rimba Jaya in Shah Alam this morning.

Hundreds of squatters, together with activists, had formed a human shield as early as 8am to prevent Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) officers from proceeding with action.

When negotiations broke down, the squatters refused to disperse and scores of Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel moved in. They fired tear gas and turned water cannon on the crowd.

Among those arrested were seven activists, including PAS Kota Raja candidate Khalid Abdul Samad. At the time of writing, they were still at the Shah Alam police headquarters having their statements recorded.

Only 12 of the 285 houses were torn down today. The lawyer representing the squatters, Teng Chang Khim, who is also DAP assemblyperson for Sungai Pinang, arrived soon after the demolition ended.

Teng said the squatter area, which has been in existence for more than 30 years, occupied land owned by private developer Ken Rimba Jaya Sdn Bhd.

After being served notice to vacate the land, the squatters took the matter to the Shah Alam High Court in 2003 and won an injunction the following year. However, the developer appealed against the injunction and succeeded in setting this aside on Feb 9 this year.

The squatters then appealed to the Federal Court against the decision and the hearing was fixed for March 13. In addition, they applied to the Shah Alam High Court for a stay of its order - this is scheduled to be heard tomorrow.

"Why couldn't MBSA wait another eight days? If we lose the case, then they can demolish the houses... I'm disappointed by the decision," Teng said.

He said the squatters received offers of low-cost units near the present site at a cost of RM35,000, after a discount of RM7,000, but had rejected this.

Umno 'no help'

As bulldozers moved in this morning, woman and children broke into tears and squatters vented their anger on FRU personnel. A police helicopter hovered above.

Houseowner Osman Hassan, 70, (centre in photo) tried to stop a bulldozer but was held back by other squatters. His wife scolded the demolition team, saying: "We are being treated like dogs! You might as well just bomb us and save all this trouble."

A former member of the police force, Osman claimed to be a staunch Umno supporter who had accompanied Tunku Abdul Rahman nationwide during the campaign for independence.

"I fought the communists during the Emergency and was shot at several times. I've supported Barison Nasional in every election," said the heartbroken man.

"I would like to lead a peaceful life, but all my contributions to the country have been forgotten."

He complained that Umno Batu Tiga assemblyperson Salamon Selamat and Shah Alam MP Abdul Aziz Shamsuddin - also the rural and regional development minister - had not visited them at all.

"During the election, they (Umno representatives) came to campaign, holding umbrellas and rolling up their sleeves. But after the election (in 2004), we haven't even see their shadow," Osman said.

"Although YB (Teng) is from DAP, he fights for us. I don't know how to thank him for his help."

Keadilan treasurer Khalid Ibrahim and other party leaders arrived at the scene after the demolition.

Occupants of another 274 squatter houses in the same area will have their case heard at the Shah Alam High Court on April 17.