June 23, 2008
KUALA LUMPUR: Some 200 police personnel were put on standby during a peaceful demonstration in Kampung Pandan yesterday morning. About 150 squatters were protesting against notices of eviction issued to them by City Hall.
Cheras police chief Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Amir Mohd Hashim said no untoward incident occurred during the half-hour illegal gathering at 10am at the Kampung Pandan Indian Settlement.
He said police were there to observe and control traffic flow along Jalan Delapan, next to SJK (Tamil) Kampung Pandan, where the crowd gathered.
“We allowed them to assemble and protest for 30 minutes before asking them to disperse,” he said.
Kampung Pandan Indian Settlement Action Committee chairman Suresh Kumar said the protesters were not objecting to the notices, but they want more time to further discuss the issue with City Hall.
“How can they serve us a one-month notice on June 10, asking about 3,000 people to move out by July 8? The 270 houses have been here for 51 years,” he said.
“They offered us rented units in the DBKL low-cost flats in Kampung Muhibbah, Puchong, in the past but we declined because it was too far away.”
He said there were several issues they wanted to discuss with City Hall, adding that they wanted to know what the plans for the redevelopment of the squatter land were.
They want City Hall to build low-cost flats where their houses are located and give them the units for free as compensation. They also want compensation for the demolished temples and for them to be rebuilt by City Hall.
Hindu Rights Action Force coordinator S. Jayathas and Pas officials were present.