A group of 250 people in a village in Shah Alam today lodged a police report in anticipation of tomorrow's demolition of their houses by landowner Kumpulan Guthrie Berhad.

The report by I Perumal and M Gunasekaran, both residents of Ladang Bukit Jelutong Rasak, was filed at the Shah Alam district police headquarters, with copies to the Inspector-General of Police, Bukit Aman and state headquarters.

They claimed that Guthrie was trying to destroy their houses "unlawfully" and without a valid court order.

"We also understand that the company will use the police and the Shah Alam City Council, like all the other times, to do this despite not having a court order," they said in the report.

"We wish to stress that Guthrie needs to have a specific court order before it can demolish our homes."

Call for impartiality

They claimed the default judgment that Guthrie has been using as the basis for similar demolitions in past (since 2000) was not valid.

The Ladang Bukit Jelutong Rasak residents committee is seeking to set aside the default judgment, with the hearing to be held at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Aug 7.

The residents claimed that if the company proceeds with the demolition, it would be in contempt of court.

"Furthermore, based on ongoing negotiations, both parties have agreed not to be confrontational until the matter is resolved," they said..

"In all three negotiations with Guthrie so far, the emphasis was to find an amicable solution without any aggression by either party."

On Wednesday, the Court of Appeal rejected a stay application by the committee pending the hearing of an injunction against Guthrie.

The residents appealed to the police to be impartial and not take sides with the influential plantation giant.

Public safety

When contacted, Shah Alam deputy police chief Supt Shah Ghazali said their involvement in Guthrie's move to demolish the houses was restricted to reasons of public safety.

"Guthrie requested for police presence for public order. It is our duty and responsibility to ensure public safety because if things turn ugly, we are the ones answerable," he said, confirming that the demolition would be carried out in the morning.

"But please bear in mind, we are not taking anyone's side, whether it is big corporations or organisations. We only serve the interest of those with the right over the land."

Shah said Guthrie has the legal right to demolish the houses located on its land, but that he had also advised Guthrie to settle all court matters first before taking such an action

"Based on the legal proceedings so far, I don't see any justification for the residents to remain there when the land belongs to someone else," he added.

"Furthermore, I understand that the initial offer for alternative low-cost housing at a different location has been extended to this group of people."

He stressed that the police were only being professional in their involvement.

"For instance, if Guthrie were to infringe the legal rights of the people, we will certainly protect them," he said.

Guthrie officials were unavailable for comment today.

An earlier plan to demolish the 30-odd houses last week was cancelled at the last-minute, prompting residents to appeal to Guthrie chairperson Musa Hitam.

They hope to gain his understanding and sympathy for their plight, as he was former chief of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia.