The first settlers of Kampung Simpang Batu, Sentul, lived there even before the country's independence, but their descendants may no longer have a home there tomorrow.

Houses occupied by 10 families who hold a Temporary Occupation Licence are slated for demolition tomorrow. The area has been earmarked for a housing project by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

Representatives of the families sought the assistance of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia today, handing a memorandum to commissioner N Siva Subramaniam.

Siva Subramaniam told reporters that the commission would approach DBKL as soon as possible to discuss a solution.

DBKL has offered each family compensation of RM1,000 and has arranged to let them rent units in low-cost flats in Jinjang, but those affected described this as a raw deal.

Community leader and food stall operator Sheikh Ahmad Sheikh Kobat said the settlement was also a place of petty trade for residents and that the compensation offer comes as little consolation.

"If we move to Jinjang, we will lose our source of income," he said, explaining that the families want to remain in the vicinity of their settlement.

"Our forefathers looked after the land for 60 years. DBKL should prepare a place for us to do business (here) because we have long depended on such activities."

Sheikh Ahmad also said the occupants were given final notice of the eviction only last week, although the families have been negotiating with DBKL for the past year.

He added that school-going children in many families would be badly affected by relocation, particularly since many will be sitting important national level examinations this year.

PKR supreme council member S Manikavasagam, who accompanied the settlers, pointed out that families evicted are usually given the option to buy low-cost units at a price not exceeding RM35,000, but this has not been done for the Kampung Simpang Batu residents.

Also present was Batu division head and party information chief Tian Chua, who claimed that the families would receive only about RM400 in compensation once they had paid the deposit and rent for the DBKL units.