Kg Tanah Lapang residents get 7-day ultimatum

Twenty-three families from Kampung Tanah Lapang in Kuala Lumpur today escaped eviction after they were given an extra one week to move out.

The new deal was struck following last-minute talks involving the residents, their member of parliament Tian Chua and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) this morning.

City Hall was to have evicted the residents today, forcing them to move out to Public Housing Projects (PPR) in Batu Muda.

The week-long deadline is for residents who have already collected the keys for the PPR units.

City Hall has also agreed to allow some of the other residents who had wanted to stay in the village until Chinese New Year.

They were told that no extensions will be given after that.

City Hall is relocating these villagers, who had claimed to have lived in this village for about 100 years, to turn the place into a green zone where trees would be planted.

Early this morning, several bulldozers from the City Hall were on standby to start demolishing the houses. Also present was a team of policemen.

City Hall operations enforcement officer Osman Ismail ( left in picture ) was initially reluctant to give an extension as the matter has dragged on since the first notice was given in 2007.

However, he relented after village head, N Manikam assured him that he would ensure that all who have collected the keys for PPR units move out in the stipulated time.

Chua also reminded Osman that the land is not commercial land, and so it would not cost the government anything to allow an extension.

Manikam later told Malaysiakini that he is uncertain of the number of families who have collected their keys, as people are moving out slowly, while some have also returned.

He also said that the fate of the families who have opted to stay is still in limbo, as it depends on discussions which they plan to have with Chua, DBKL and the Federal Territory Ministry this week.

‘Stand your ground'

Manikam had gathered the residents at about 9 am to urge them to stand their ground and not pack up just yet, which garnered strong support from the residents.

One resident, Manimekalai, told Malaysiakini that her family decided only to safeguard important documents and to leave other goods in place as a sign of commitment.

As proof that she would not budge, the 31-year-old also left her baby son, the fourth generation in his family to be born in the village, asleep in her house even after the demolition crew's arrival.

Others, however, had sent off their younger children to stay with relatives for fear for their safety.

Of the 68 families who were living in Kampung Tanah Lapang, not all have been offered alternative housing, with eight not receiving any offer as yet.

Chua said these include extended families that were living under one roof, who now have to squeeze into small flats.

"I will have a meeting with these families within this week to find a solution for their problem," he told the residents at a meeting later.

Some of the older residents, Manikam said, could not afford to pay the RM124 monthly rental for the alternative housing, and preferred to spend their remaining years in the place where they were born.

He added that most of the residents were happy to buy the land off the government, and it was not their intention to live free of charge.

The residents also mooted the idea of working together with City Hall to plant trees, in order to make the area a "green lung", as planned, but were turned down.

Manikam yesterday went to meet with the mayor, but was instead met by DBKL deputy director of service Muhammad Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz, who said that he has no authority to stop the eviction.

He also said that the orders to evict came straight from the prime minister, which Manickam said was "unbelievable for a prime minister who is supposedly (working) for the people."

The residents had previously written letters to the prime minister, requesting an audience with him, but have yet to receive a reply.

Lawsuit prepared

The residents' plight has attracted politicians from across the political spectrum, including representatives from MIC and Indian Progressive Front (IPF), who showed up to show support.

But Chua ( left in picture ), who has met with the City Hall and Federal Territory Ministry about the matter "more than six times", was quick to say that the issue should not be used as a publicity stunt.

He added that as their MP, he is willing to fight alongside the residents, and support them in whatever decisions they make.

He also told the residents that he is prepared to file for an injunction against the demolition. The lawsuit, he said, could go on for as long as one or two years.

Chua however cautioned the residents that if the case is lost, the residents might have to move to alternative housing that is much further than the one that is currently offered.

"But if you are willing to take that risk, then I will fight with you," he said, promising to speak with Deputy Federal Territory Minister M Saravanan again in Parliament.