Kg Papan demolition: PSM's Arutchelvan, two others detained

PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan was among three individuals detained during the demolition of homes in Kampung Papan in Klang today.

The other two were activist M Mythreyar and residents’ representative M Logesvaran.

Mythreyar told Malaysiakini that they were arrested under Section 186 of the Penal Code, which pertains to obstructing a public servant in the discharge of their duties.

“We are now being taken to the Klang Selatan district police headquarters for further investigation,” he said.

Malaysiakini has contacted the Selangor police for comment.

In a post on X, former Klang MP Charles Santiago urged authorities to release the trio immediately.

“Human rights defenders, PSM’s Arul and two more, were arrested for negotiating with police to defend a family’s home from demolition.

“The four arrested should be immediately released. Their only ‘crime’ was defending homes the state promised to protect,” he said.

Yesterday, police also arrested a resident attempting to obstruct the authorities’ demolition efforts. The 57-year-old man has since been placed under remand.

This is the third day of demolition in Kampung Papan, Pandamaran, in what appears to violate the state government’s commitment that only vacant homes would be torn down.

More than 10 houses destroyed

Malaysiakini’s checks found that more than 10 occupied houses have so far been demolished by the property developer, without offering compensation or temporary accommodation for the residents.

A representative from the developer, who was on site, said they had received instructions to vacate the houses “per what is stated in the court order”.

Malaysiakini has contacted the developer for a response.

Earlier, tensions also rose when residents, activists, and PSM members attempted to block developers from demolishing homes that were still inhabited.

Pandamaran assemblyperson Tony Leong expressed regret over the developer’s decision to proceed with the demolition.

He said he had joined an urgent meeting with Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari on Oct 21, which was also attended by the developer’s representative, the Selangor Housing and Property Board director, and several elected representatives.

During that meeting, he said, it was decided that only unoccupied houses would be demolished while compensation negotiations were ongoing.

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