Opposition Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen has slammed the Sarawak government for its "disregard for the process of the law" in going ahead with the demolition of nine houses at Kampong Astana Lama in Kuching.

He told malaysiakini today that the demolition of the houses by the Land and Survey Department enforcement team on Monday is an act of gangsterism and barbarisim.

"I say this because some of the house-owners have made an application to the court for a declaration of their right to remain on the land as it involves native customary rights," added Chong who is also a lawyer.

Counsel representing owners of the houses built on land adjacent to the Astana, official residence of the Sarawak Governor, that the state government is acquiring as part of the land for a new government building had obtained an injunctive order in the afternoon on the same day the demolition was carried out.

Chong said the point is that the house-owners concerned had filed a writ and the state Attorney-General had applied to strike it out and that since the matter was pending hearing in September, the government should at least show respect for the law.

Clearly, he added, the government's action was subjudice.

Bad example

The government should not have attempted to circumvent the process of the law before the determination of the case in court.

The action reflected the state government's attitude and set what he described as a bad example for other citizens in Sarawak, he said.

Chong said he would raise the matter in Parliament and hoped that national leaders would take note of 'such barbaric act' and disrespect of the law by the state government.

The MP said the state government has a tendency to do such things as the Kampong Astana Lama was not an isolated case.

He cited another example in Samarahan near Kuching where the land owners had applied for a judicial review on notice issued to demolish the houses.