COMMENT When I received an email saying residents of the former Kampung Berembang were to get keys to their new houses in Berembang Indah on July 18, it stirred memories of the struggle they had endured from 2006 to 2007 to claim their right to housing.

kampung berembang demolition 301106 warning It was a fight that united people from different backgrounds and ethnic groups who had occupied the urban settlers’ village in Ampang, Selangor.

Although most of the villagers are members or strong supporters of Umno, it did not stop the BN-led state or federal government from demolishing their houses.

The people, however, were clear - they would not allow their rights to be violated. All they wanted, at minimum, was alternative houses but not transit housing.

The Selangor government was to have built low-cost flats at Berembang Indah located nearby. However, the developer Acmar International did not want to waste the site on low-cost housing because of the premium price of land there.

The state government then decided to evict the people from Kampung Berembang and allocate them houses for rent in Puchong.

The residents stated they would only move out when the Berembang Indah flats were ready. And so the stage was set for a series of clashes.

kampung berembang mpaj demolition 201106 onslaught The first eviction exercise began right after Friday prayers on Nov 17, 2006. As the settlers gathered to defend the village with all they had at their disposal, members of Jerit and residents of other villages stood with them.

The confrontation was so intense that the Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ) could only demolish less than two houses from 3-6pm. The authorities gave up and left, but we knew they would be back on Monday.

Text-messages were sent out to get as many people as possible to come from all over the country to help defend the houses. Remember, this was the era before Facebook or Twitter.  

On Nov 20, 2006, members of various NGOs and opposition political parties, as well as urban settlers from different villages, arrived at Kampung Berembang.

kampung berembang demolition 301106 tussle The situation became tense when MPAJ officers arrived about 10am. However, the resistance was so firm that MPAJ retreated, enabling negotiations with lawyers for the developer and PKNS.

Although the developer and state agency were adamant about proceeding with the eviction, the settlers - including their children - refused to budge.

In the end, the developer called in the police and federal reserve unit (FRU). Several settlers and activists were arrested before MPAJ could tear down all the houses.

At the police station, the police appeared confused - they could not understand why many Indian and Chinese Malaysians had been arrested when it was a Malay settlement that had been demolished.

It was really a time when I felt truly Malaysian. The unity of the oppressed classes was so clear.

Lesson learnt

After their houses were demolished, the people erected tent-like structures and began rebuilding their houses to retain their claim to the site. Also, in heavy rain, a protest against the state government was held in Shah Alam.

All we got was an officer to collect the memorandum. This was a clear indication that the state was with the developer and that the people would have to fight for their rights.

kampung berembang surau demolition A few days later, MPAJ and the developer showed up at the site again, to demolish the surau where many of the children and women were taking shelter.

Police and FRU personnel entered the surau, using shoes to hit women and children to force them out. Again, the people resisted and many were arrested, but the surau was eventually demolished.

Still, the war was far from over. The villagers rebuilt their house and constantly fought the developers and authorities. As the news spread through leaflets, this became a national issue.

kg berembang final assault 070307 tracktor villagers The last battle over the settlement took place in March 2007. The developer brought in personnel and machines to clear the temporary structures and fence up the site.

The villagers responded by camping outside, spiritedly deciding to live there until their demand for permanent housing was met.

In the general election of March 2008, the state government was replaced by Pakatan Rakyat, which promised to build the houses in Berembang Indah.

As I attended the ceremony to hand over the keys, I could see women smiling with happiness and relief. One of them hugged me and I could feel her gratitude. The look in the eyes of the settlers showed that they were glad their struggle had borne fruit.

I was glad it was over and that they did not have to stay in camps and temporary houses below electricity transmission lines any more.

This community and many others had learnt a great lesson that, in times of need, Malaysians will unite to assist those defending their rights.

Y KOHILA is coordinator of Jerit, the Oppressed People’s Network.