The Bandar Mahkota Cheras (BMC) residents have slammed the Selangor state government of being “weak” and unable to handle the dispute over a contentious barricade preventing toll-free access to the Cheras-Kajang Highway.

selangor state bandar mahkota cheras petition 090508 06 In a memorandum to Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim today, BMC (BMC) Open Road Committee x chairperson Tan Boon Hwa said the state government failed to compel the Kajang Municipal Council to act on the matter.

“According to a letter issued by the Hulu Langat land office, it was verified that the barricade erected by (highway concessionaire) Grand Saga on a road not under its or the Malaysian Highway Authority jurisdiction.

“However, the Kajang Municipal Council has maintained its silence on the matter and failed to take any legal action against Grand Saga,” he said in the memorandum that was handed to Khalid at the Selangor government complex in Shah Alam today.

selangor state bandar mahkota cheras petition 090508 04 Tan cited Section 46 of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 which states that anyone who erects an illegal structure in a public place can be arrested without warrant by any police officer or officer of the local authority.

The penalty of violating this law was a fine not exceeding RM500 and a fine of RM1,000 for a subsequent conviction.

Meeting next week

Some 40 BMC residents had gathered at the Selangor government complex to voice their grouses to Khalid but were left disappointed by his response.

mahkota cheras problem barricade row how it began Khalid had turned down their invitation to visit the barricaded area, which had been the subject of various stand-off between the residents and Grand Saga workers backed by riot police.

“Please be calm. We should sit down and talk about the issue,” said Khalid in declining to visit the site of the barricade.

Khalid said that his officers were arranging for a four-party meeting next week involving the state government, federal government, Grand Saga and the residents.

Tan told reporters later that the residents were extremely disappointed with Khalid’s response and but was still optimistic about the meeting next week.

Meanwhile, Tan alleged today that he was hit on the face, back and legs by police officers during a scuffle last night when Grand Saga workers re-erected the barricade.

However, he has not lodged a police report on the alleged assault.

We’ll tear down barricade again

Tan said that the residents will no longer keep vigil on the barricade and instead destroy the barricade each time it is re-erected by Grand Saga.

“Grand Saga is mobilising more and more police to protect them. After what happened last night, the residents cannot risk any more injuries,” he said.

mahkota cheras road blockade protest pc 080508 07 Tear gas and water cannons were used to disperse some 500 residents who had destroyed the barricade last night. Tan was among four individuals arrested during the melee.

Tan would have to turn up before the Putrajaya Magistrate's Court on May 22 on a yet-to-be-known charge.

The controversial barricade is the subject of a suit between BMC developer Narajaya Sdn Bhd and Grand Saga. Hearing begins on May 21.

BMC residents are currently preparing documents to file for an ex-parte injunction against Grand Saga from re-erecting the barricade.

SPECIAL REPORT: The Grand Saga in Cheras