S'gor claims only vacant Kg Papan homes targeted for demolition
However, Selangor state executive councillor Borhan Aman Shah did not address the complaints and outrage of residents and activists over the alleged demolition of inhabited houses.
Instead, Borhan, who holds the housing and culture portfolio, said during a special meeting...
The Selangor government reiterated that a developer had committed to demolishing only vacant homes at Kampung Papan, amid reports that occupied homes were also being razed.
However, Selangor state executive councillor Borhan Aman Shah did not address the complaints and outrage of residents and activists over the alleged demolition of inhabited houses.
Instead, Borhan, who holds the housing and culture portfolio, said during a special meeting chaired by Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari on Oct 21, it was agreed that demolition should be carried out on vacant structures without occupants.
This was in line with the state government’s “prudent resolution approach”, he said.
The meeting also determined that the developer, Melati Ehsan Consolidated Sdn Bhd, should surrender approximately eight acres of land to the state government.
Following the decision, the state government then issued an official letter to Melati Ehsan on Tuesday (Nov 11) to confirm the company’s commitment to surrender the land and ensure the demolition is postponed until the land handover is finalised.
In a statement today, Borhan said the company would surrender seven acres of land and several additional lots.
“Melati Ehsan, through its lawyers, also stated its readiness to surrender seven acres of land, as well as several lots in Jalan Papan and Jalan Kerayong, for the relocation of houses of worship.
“The latest development in resolving the Jalan Papan urban settlers issue shows positive progress following Melati Ehsan’s agreement to surrender seven acres of land to the Selangor government,” he said.
Occupied houses demolished
On Nov 12, the third day of the demolition of houses in Kampung Papan, Malaysiakini’s checks found that several houses that were still occupied had been demolished.
Residents, activists, and PSM members strived to block the demolition of homes that were still inhabited, with visual footage of struggles with police documented on camera.
PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan, activist M Mythreyar, and residents’ representative M Logesvaran were arrested under Section 186 of the Penal Code for allegedly obstructing a public servant in the discharge of their duties.
The following day (Nov 13), nine more were arrested for the same alleged offence.
Today, another nine people - including a PSM member and Suaram coordinator - were arrested, while the remand application for 10 others was rejected by the Klang magistrates’ court.
Organised, sustainable resettlement
Borhan said today that the land surrender is an important step that opens the way for a more organised and sustainable resettlement.
“The state government also stands ready to offer temporary placement through the Smart Sewa Scheme to settlers who require it, at an affordable rental rate.
“The state government’s commitment is clear - no settler will be left without temporary accommodation while a permanent solution is being planned and finalised,” he stressed.
The Tanjong Sepat assemblyperson noted that the seven acres of land to be surrendered by Melati Ehsan will be used to develop apartments as a long-term solution for affected settlers.
He said that through such an approach, the state administration is on a clearer path to ensuring a “fair, planned, and humane” resolution for settlers, while maintaining development aligned with state policies.
