Cheras barricade goes down again

Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents have torn down the controversial wall built by toll operator Grand Saga which blocked access to the Cheras-Kajang Highway late last night.

This was the third time that the five-foot wall, consisting of table-size boulders and erected across the two-lane toll-free slip road, was demolished.

In a significant about-turn, Selangor police chief Khalid Abu Bakar was at the scene at about 7.30pm to give the jubilant residents the green light to remove the wall.

The residents, with the help of tractors, eventually cleared the access road for motor vehicles to pass by 9.30pm.

The police, who had earlier been accused of siding with toll operator, kept a close watch on the operation. Khalid had also warned Grand Saga not to rebuild the wall.

On Tuesday, about a dozen residents were seriously injured at a fracas after Grand Saga re-erected the barricade. Residents have accused the toll operator of hiring ‘gangsters’ armed with sticks to stop them from tearing down the wall.

According to Bernama, police have launched an investigation to identify the ‘thugs’ who had beaten the residents - one of whom was hospitalised with a broken hand, while another was given seven stitches after a blow on his head.

A group of BMC residents also sought to meet Works Minister Mohd Zin Mohamed in Parliament but he was not available to meet them.

The residents then submitted a memorandum to DAP leader Lim Kit Siang.

Lims calls for inquiry

Meanwhile Lim condemned the violence which resulted in the injuries of several residents two nights ago.

He also lambasted the presence of thugs to stop the residents from pulling down the barricade.

He also criticised the police for not only their "hands-off" policy during the rampage by the thugs, but also in going on a rampage of their own in assaulting innocent bystander Chang Jiun Haur.

"An independent public inquiry into the spate of physical violence against the protesting public by thugs and police personnel is fully warranted," he added.

He said that DAP MP for Serdang Teo Nie Ching will be raising the issue in Parliament today.

However in Parliament, Teo's motion to debate the matter was rejected in chambers by the speaker as it was not an urgent matter.


SPECIAL REPORT: The Grand Saga in Cheras