KUALA LUMPUR – Some 23 families from Kg Sri Makmur in Gombak can breathe a sigh of relief as they are given until after Hari Raya Aidilfitri to vacate their homes.
They were previously ordered to leave yesterday after the Shah Alam High Court issued an eviction notice for them to comply within 14 days from February 7.
Speaking to Scoop, Sri Makmur Residents’ Association Action Committee chairperson Noora Mustafa said the residents were allowed to live in their respective homes until after Aidilfitri.
She said it acted as a guarantee by the state government, following previous applications made by her.
“Yesterday evening, (Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari’s) political secretary, Rahim Kasdi, informed us that any demolition work must obtain the menteri besar’s permission.
“The demolition will only be done after the process of selecting those eligible (to receive compensation), which are the original residents there.
“(The houses) will only be demolished after Raya (Aidilfitri). Thank you, Selangor state assembly, for your consideration,” she said.
Noora added that all 23 families were promised housing compensations through the Seri Temenggung Rumah Selangorku, which would provide 30 houses.
“There are seven more vacancies for the original residents, and the selection process is being done now.”
Asked why the eligibility selection took time, Noora said it was because a separate group prepared another list of residents’ names.
“That is why we want to see the final list, as we do not want any parties who have previously received monetary compensation to demand housing as well.”
Previously, families residing on land owned by the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) were evicted to give way to a condominium development.
Noora subsequently made a police report on February 7, the same day the residents received the notice to vacate their homes by 9am on February 21.
Gombak Setia assemblyman Muhammad Hilman Idham shared a copy of the police report with Scoop, along with a letter dated February 9 addressed to Amirudin, who is also Gombak MP.
Hilman shared the letter as a response to a statement by the Green Party of Malaysia yesterday, which urged Amirudin and PKNS to intervene and prevent the eviction.
The letter, which was signed by Noora, stated the residents’ qualms over the eviction order and that the police report would “be used to defend” their homes from being demolished.
The letter was marked as received by the Gombak service centre on February 16.
According to Noora, the compensation at Sri Temenggung Rumah was promised during the meeting between the state government’s representatives and the organisation on November 16 last year. – February 22, 2024