They have been protesting over the past few years. A number have been arrested, some alleged they were beaten by the police.

But it appears that no end is in sight in the stand-off between the determined Bandar Mahkota Cheras (BMC) residents and an equally determined highway toll operator Grand Saga Sdn Bhd.

Grand Saga has built a three-feet high concrete barrier to block an access road to the township. This resulted in commuters having to travel an additional six kilometres and pay Grand Saga 90 sen toll for every trip [see Google map below].

Emboldened by the victory of the new Pakatan Rakyat state government in Selangor, the residents have taken it upon themselves to demolish the barricade. But every time it was destroyed, the wall was rebuilt by Grand Saga. The barricade has since been erected and torn down no fewer than three times.

Malaysiakini, which has been reporting on the row since 2006, has the following stories:


2008

Lim Lip Eng - another 'street style' MP l May 10

I would do it again, says assaulted MP l May 10

BMC residents doused and gassed l May 9

MP hospitalised after Cheras fracas l May 9

Barricade row: Pakatan state gov't 'weak' l May 9

Police fire tear gas at Cheras residents l May 8

Cheras residents in stand-off to protect toll-free road l May 7

Grand Saga 'advised' to re-erect concrete barrier l April 30

Confirmed - residents can tear down concrete barrier l April 29

Barricade row: Answers next week l April 23


2007

Trio sues cops over ‘assault’ during protest l Oct 24

21 arrested in anti-toll hike protest l Jan 21


2006

Vexed residents protest against toll hike l Dec 18
Seventh protest against barricade l Aug 22


VIDEOS

12-min video of the scuffle l May 9
10-min video of stand-off between residents and police l May 8