30 Years 6 Mbs Yet Kg Jalan Papan Residents Woes Remain Ex Mp Rues

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With just two days left before the scheduled demolition, the Selangor government has been urged to halt operations affecting about 100 residents of Kampung Jalan Papan in Pandamaran, Klang.
In a press conference with residents today, former Klang MP Charles Santiago and PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan also demanded the Pakatan Harapan-led state government intervene immediately to protect the rights of residents who have lived in the area for over three decades.
Charles said under an agreement between the then-BN-led state government and TPPT Sdn Bhd, a developer formed to revive an abandoned housing project, affected families were to be given homes if the company took over the land.
“In 1995, the Selangor government transferred 95 acres of the land to TPPT, a subsidiary of Bank Negara Malaysia. In 2007, TPPT brought in developer Melati Ehsan Consolidated Sdn Bhd to construct the houses.
ADS“However, after nearly three decades, families in Kampung Papan have yet to receive the promised double-storey terrace houses, which were supposed to be sold to them at RM99,000 each,” he said.
Charles also said the state government must take responsibility and uphold both the people’s rights and the original agreement.
“This isn’t a new issue - it’s been going on for more than 30 years, and the promise of housing has still not been fulfilled,” he lamented.
Charles added that the list of residents eligible for housing had been handed over to then-menteri besar Azmin Ali in May 2016, but no further action was taken.
In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the developer obtained a court order to evict the residents.
New notices
However, the state government assured on Oct 23 this year that the demolition would only involve vacant houses and business premises.
Yet, on Oct 27, residents received new notices instructing them to vacate their homes.
“What happened? Why are they being evicted? Harapan is supposed to champion reforms, but look at what’s happening now,” Charles said.
Meanwhile, Arutchelvan said residents received official eviction notices from the Shah Alam High Court on Oct 29, giving them 14 days to vacate their homes.
They have until 9am, on Nov 10, to comply.
PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan“Failure to do so would allow court bailiffs to use force to reclaim the land,” he said.
ADSArutchelvan also referred to a Facebook post by the Klang Selatan police, which showed that a coordination meeting was held on Nov 6 between local authorities, representatives from the Shah Alam court, and the developer.
He said PSM was concerned that the demolition might proceed despite ongoing negotiations.
“The houses there are built very close to one another. Even demolishing empty houses could damage the neighbouring ones,” he said.
‘Deliver on promises first’
Resident representative Teoh Ah Guat, 63, said they were willing to move if a new settlement was provided, as previously agreed.
However, Teoh - who has lived there for over 30 years with her husband and two children - said the state government must first fulfil its promise and ensure replacement homes are completed.
“If the state government resolves our housing issue, we’re ready to move,” she said.
Another resident, M Nathan, 55, also said there was no need to evict them as they would willingly leave once the promised homes were delivered. - Mkini

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