A LONGSTANDING community in Jinjang Selatan Tambahan near Kuala Lumpur has been granted a temporary reprieve from eviction, despite a court order mandating the removal of residents, businesses and factories from the land. No demolitions took place on Tuesday, offering brief relief to locals, some of whom have lived in the area for over six decades.
Instead, residents gathered with local leaders and activists for a community meeting, urging the authorities to engage in transparent negotiations and provide protection for their homes, places of worship and livelihoods.
Kew Seong Yew, 75, caretaker of a local temple, said the site had served the community for nearly four decades.
"This temple has stood here for over 30 years. I’ve looked after it for a long time. We hope the government will grant us new land, or let us stay here,” he said. “No one from the authorities has come to speak with us. If they suddenly demolish it, we don’t have the means to relocate.”
Street food vendor Ho Yok Lan, 64, who has lived in Jinjang Selatan Tambahan since birth, said she simply cannot afford to move.
"I’ve lived here for 60 years. Housing is expensive now – we simply can’t afford to start over,” she said. “If someone comes to tear down my home by force, I won’t run. If I must die, I will die here.”
She added that residents are not opposed to development but want assurances that they will not be displaced without viable alternatives.
"We’re not newcomers. I was a child here, my siblings were born here. This is our home,” she said.
Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng confirmed that, following discussions with government agencies, no demolition would take place “for the time being”. However, he warned that legal proceedings initiated by the land’s tenants may still continue and that the matter remains under review.
Meanwhile, in a show of support for affected families, Selangor Bersatu Associate Chief Datuk Goh Gaik Meng called on the authorities to hold immediate consultations with the 37 families living on the site before any eviction is carried out.
“I came to show moral support because the residents here are unprepared,” he said. “Even if there is a tenancy agreement, at the very least, come and negotiate with those who have lived here for over 60 years.”
Goh criticised the short notice period given to residents, which he said came without the offer of alternative housing or compensation.
“Now, when the notice is given without discussion, where are they supposed to go? There are no flats or temporary housing provided,” he added during his visit to the area on Tuesday.
He stressed that the issue was not only about development but also about upholding fundamental human rights.
“We know that development is inevitable, but the methods and approach used are very important,” he said. “At the very least, negotiate first, and if demolition is necessary, discuss compensation.”
Goh also noted that he had been informed of a directive from the Chief Secretary to the Government (KSN) to delay the eviction, though the length of the postponement has yet to be determined.
“The power now lies with the KSN. So, we hope he will instruct the Department of the Director General of Lands and Mines or the relevant authorities to come down and negotiate with the residents,” he said.
Also present in support of the community was social media influencer Rafidah Ibrahim. - September 23, 2025
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