Clarify position on Kg Jalan Papan issue, DAP urged

Clarify position on Kg Jalan Papan issue, DAP urged

PETALING JAYA: Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) deputy chairman S Arutchelvan has urged DAP to clarify its position on the Kampung Jalan Papan controversy, following revelations that the developer behind the demolition of homes there is represented by a law firm run by Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng and his wife, Stella Ng.

He said that while Pandamaran assemblyman Leong Tuck Chee had spoken up for the affected residents in the state assembly and called for developer Melati Ehsan Consolidated Sdn Bhd to be blacklisted, another DAP MP is representing the company.

“How can a DAP MP represent a developer a DAP assemblyman is fighting against in the same case?” he asked in a statement today.

Arutchelvan said law firm Stella, Lim & Co had issued a signed letter dated Nov 11 on the developer’s behalf addressed to Selangor housing executive councillor Borhan Aman Shah.

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The letter, sighted by FMT, denied that the developer had committed to handing over 3.2ha of land for the construction of apartments for the affected residents at a meeting with the state government last month.

“However, in the spirit of amicable resolution, our client is willing and prepared to hand over 2.8ha of land, including lots on Jalan Papan and Jalan Kerayong identified as sites for the relocation of Chinese temples as a win-win solution to the settlers’ issue.

“All 44 defendants currently appealing in the Court of Appeal must also retract their appeal immediately, with costs to be borne on their own and without permission to refile their appeal.

“For the sake of avoiding confusion, it is emphasised that the contents of this letter cannot be interpreted as basis, justification or excuse to suspend, postpone, disturb or halt the eviction process ongoing under a court order in Jalan Papan,” read the letter.

Arutchelvan called on DAP to clarify why the residents were being asked again to forgo their appeal, noting that they had withdrawn a court injunction in 2008 based on assurances given by a DAP executive councillor at the time.

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“Now, the same developer’s lawyers are again demanding that the people drop their appeal – their last line of defence,” he said.

On Nov 8, PSM and former Klang MP Charles Santiago urged the state government to halt the demolition of vacant houses at the village as some 100 families would be displaced.

The state government stated on Oct 23 that only vacant houses and business premises would be demolished. However, on Oct 27, the residents received a fresh notice to vacate their homes.

Borhan later said that the state government was ready to offer the residents temporary resettlement through its Smart Sewa scheme at reasonable rental rates.

Residents said on Nov 14 that the demolition of some of the houses was forced through, accusing the authorities of cutting locks, entering houses with people still inside, and arresting anyone who protested.

Originally, about 100 residents were listed for a Dec 18 court hearing on the matter, but many were later removed from the list without explanation. After the changes, only 44 names remain on the updated list.

The residents said those whose homes were demolished had not been included, and that the lack of formal documentation was used against them.