Although low-cost house-owners had defaulted in payments of yearly assessments for some time now, that does not mean they should let officers from the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and the police to walk into their house to seize property.

As always, people are entitled to enjoy some privacy in their own homes and also have the right to stop anyone barging into the house not and unless there is a court order given to the officer(s) to search the place, let alone (of course) to remove or take away movable household items like TVs, computers, fridges or furniture and so on and so forth.

Likewise, the police, who are the keepers of the laws, should be fully aware of this

need that they, too, should have a court order before they join up with officers from MBPJ to carry out the campaign to break entry into homes to seize property or whatever.

Their actions are outrageous and unlawful if they do not have the court order in this case to enter into private homes.

Besides, carrying out such a campaign is a costly affair. In fact it is wasteful spending of taxpayers’ money. Also, the officers could have done their routine duties if they had not been deployed for carrying out the campaign.

Bearing in mind, the conditions of TVs, fridges, computers and furniture are worth nothing at the time of seizures.

By the way, it is illegal to seize something still under installment or leasing as it does not belong to the house owner.

Obviously, there must be a valid reason for house owners not paying up and it is therefore the job of the officers concerned to resolve the matter on a case-by-case basis.

Exactly, it is necessary for officers to visit homes to offer help instead of going for seizures of property, to see how best they could get these house-owners pay up, and this is what MBPJ had failed to do/provide.

Surely you know that these low-cost house-owners are living in poverty from hand to mouth with a small pay. Yes, it is a lot of money to pay the assessment on a half-yearly basis.

Perhaps, it may work for them if the payments are broken down into 12 monthly payments and also to allow them to settle their arrears by instalments. This is a friendly offer and should help bring about a win-win situation for both parties.

LAU BING is a community activist and writer in Subang Jaya.