Govt Seized Land In 2021 Not Developer Surendran Pans Zaliha

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The counsel for disgruntled residents of Kampung Sungai Baru slammed a minister after the latter attempted to absolve the government from the eviction process.
This comes after Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said that residents affected by it should discuss their concerns with the developer, as it was not a decision of the government but the court.
“It was not the court that compulsorily seized the property of the affected residents. It was the government that did so.
“The court had no choice in the matter once the government had invoked the Land Acquisition Act 1960 in 2021 in favour of the developer.
“This led to the seizure of the land of residents who did not agree to the terms offered by the developer, and the current national controversy over the eviction of the residents,” N Surendran said in a statement today.
Describing Zaliha’s remarks as irresponsible and unacceptable, the former MP also noted that Zaliha did not address the compulsory acquisition made in 2021 during the press conference yesterday.
Kampung Sungai Baru residents’ lawyer N Surendran“Why was she silent on that? Is it because the minister cannot justify the seizure of people’s land and houses merely for the purpose of redevelopment?” he asked.
The eviction process two days ago turned bloody after Dang Wangi district police chief Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman sustained injuries to his head.
The police officer is understood to have been hurt when chaos broke out after several disgruntled residents attempted to force their way into the area.
Livid, Kuala Lumpur police chief Fadil Marsus vowed to push through the eviction, declaring he “will fight to the end” should there be any intentional provocation, to ensure the operation is completed.
Anwar also chimed in, saying the assault on Sulizmie was perpetrated by irresponsible and self-serving parties.
Fighting for their rights
Surendran also criticised Zaliha for claiming that the residents were objecting to the eviction due to dissatisfaction over the compensation value.
Calling it false, the Lawyers for Liberty adviser stressed that the residents’ real grievance lies in the forced seizure of their land by the government, which was later handed over to a developer.
The former PKR leader also reminded Zaliha that she has no authority to speak on behalf of the residents.
Minister in the PM’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha MustafaZaliha, he added, should be mindful that the disgruntled residents were legal owners of the land and homes – with their right to own a property guaranteed under Article 13 of the Federal Constitution.
“It is morally and legally wrong to suggest that the objecting residents are tyrannising the majority who agreed.
“The minority residents were legal owners of the land and houses. They had the legal right to either accept or reject the terms made by the developer.
“And the right to ownership of property is a fundamental constitutional right guaranteed under Article 13 of the Constitution,” he added.
Surendran then called on the government to intervene in the matter instead of evading responsibility.
“We urge the government to immediately intervene in the matter to halt the ongoing eviction and to resolve the dispute in a fair and just manner.” - Mkini

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