An eviction scheduled to be carried out by the Shah Alam City Council today - to make way for development by a private company - was thwarted at the very last minute by a court injunction obtained by the residents of Kampung Rimba Jaya in Klang.

Malaysiakini

was informed that residents of the squatter area were earlier able to delay a large team of council enforcement and police officers, totalling about 200, from entering the area at about 9am.

"They started walking towards (the squatter area) only to be stopped in their tracks by the residents," said Parti Sosialis Malaysia central committee member V Selvam.

Despite the large presence of the authorities, only 11 homes - expected to be the first phase of the eviction process - were served notices to vacate.

Bandar Klang state assemblyperson Teng Chang Kim, who is acting as the lawyer for the community, sought the injunction against the council and Shah Alam mayor Salamon Selamat.

The notice of the ex parte injunction was delivered before noon today. The Shah Alam high court will hear from both parties on Nov 6.

Settle in court

According to Selvam, government agencies have not business interfering in disputes over private land.

"If there's any dispute to be settled, then it should be done in the civil courts," he said.

The company, Khidmat Tulen is expected to develop the area and relocate its residents in a 17-storey flat.

However, residents say that the decision was made without their consultation or knowledge.

"At least include them into proper discussions, and provide them with opportunity to ask for compensation," said Selvam, adding that residents were only informed of the eviction one week ago.

Even more 'ironic' is the fact that the council was acting beyond its jurisdiction, he added, and that the eviction notices cited provisions of the Emergency Ordinance of 1969.

"The ordinance's provision for the eviction of squatters was not made by Parliament but by the National Operations Council.

"This law is still being used, when they should be using only those laws passed by Parliament."

According to human rights NGO Suaram, more than 1,000 families is said to reside in the colony.