The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has been blasted for alleged plans to sue online news site Free Malaysia Today ( FMT ) and Tamil daily Makkal Osai over reports of the Kampung Railway Sentul demolition.

"Malaysian Indians Progressive Association (Mipas) condemns the act of the DBKL plans to sue FMT and Makkal Osai for carrying the true news on the demolition of houses in Kg Railway Sentul.

kampung railway residents protest "But as far as DBKL is concerned, both FMT and Makkal Osai are misleading (in their reports)," said Mipas secretary general S Barathidasan in a statement today.

 

"Why can’t DBKL just accept the reality and the truth of the news? Mipas strongly disagree with DBKL’s contemplating to sue FMT and Makkal Osai over the reports," he said.

After a long-drawn controversy over the former railway quarters that had been sold to developer YTL Corporation, DBKL began demolition of the settlement this week.

The 73 premises involving 143 families had to make way for the bulldozers after the High Court found in favour of the developers last October.

NONE Yesterday FMT reported that Federal Territories Deputy Minister Loga Balan Mohan was unhappy with the media reportage over DBKL's compensation for the displaced families and was planning legal action.

According to FMT , Loga said, "The issue that we did not offer flats and assistance is a lie," adding that there was nothing he could do if the 30 families wanted to reject the DBKL offer.

Barathidasan ( above ) said DBKL should "stop bullying the media and should not stop the freedom of the media in carrying the truth for the people".

"The whole Kampung Railway Sentul is being demolished despite strong protest from the residents, and a few residents have been arrested and some didn’t get any compensation of the People's Public Housing (PPR) house.

tian chua at kampung railway residents protest "Anyhow, it’s a gift by the BN government and YTL on the ninth anniversary of the tsunami that happened on Dec 26," he said sarcastically, referring to how the remaining residents were forced to vacate their homes on Boxing Day.

He added that the government's actions were not in line with their 'people first' slogan.

"Politicians and  DBKL should serve the rakyat and not bow to pressure from the contractor or any party that tries to foil this noble goal," he said.