THE Kampung Papan settlers in Pandamaran, Klang have lived here since pre-Independence in 1939 — first as New Villagers, and later as Temporary Occupancy License (TOL) holders between 1968 and 1989. Today, they are being labelled as illegal squatters by developers and even in court statements.
To make a long story short, here are the defining moments:
• 1992 – The state government began plotting and surveying the land with the settlers. Each settler paid RM 70 for the survey and was assured this was being done so they would eventually be granted the land.
• 1995 – The Selangor State Government transferred 95 acres of this land to TPPT (Tabung Projek Perumahan Terbengkalai – the Abandoned Housing Project Fund), whose role was to build houses for the settlers. TPPT became the new landowner.
• 2007 – TPPT brought in a developer, Melati Ehsan Consolidated Sdn Bhd, and granted them power of attorney over the same land — again, with the stated purpose of building houses for the settlers.
• 2020 – During the COVID-19 period, Melati Ehsan used the law to evict the settlers, labelling them as illegal occupants.
• 2024 – Now, Melati Ehsan intends to return 11 acres of the land to the Selangor Government so that the state can build houses for the same settlers.
Looking at this chain of events, one must ask — why did the Selangor Government give the land to TPPT, who then brought in Melati Ehsan, only for the developer to later return part of the land back to the government?
One excuse repeatedly used by TTDI and Melati Ehsan is that the settlers are “manipulative” and had previously been given RM 42k low-cost housing units. We strongly contest this claim. All low-cost housing allocations are managed by the Selangor Housing and Property Board (LPHS). If the settlers had made double claims, there would be evidence — and they should rightly be denied.
Moreover, a government-conducted survey identified 211 settlers. Two former Menteris Besar had promised them landed property at a price around RM 99,000 each.
The MTES meeting on 28 February 2018, chaired by the Selangor Menteri Besar's Office, concluded that 181 individuals were the original settlers. Of these: 123 settlers from the original Kg Jalan Papan were to be offered 20' x 70' terrace houses at RM 99,000, 58 were to be offered Selangorku Type B houses (800 sq. ft.) at RM 99,000 exempted from standard Selangorku conditions while around 30 families with existing site structures were to be offered medium-cost market-priced homes or Selangorku Type B units.
While the High Court ruled in favour of the developer, the case is still pending appeal. We await the ground of the judgment which yet to be written. The settlers are clearly the victims here.
Now, back to the Selangor State Government: Under the previous BN administration, MB Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo introduced a zero squatter policy. Since Pakatan Rakyat and later Pakatan Harapan took over, the policy has been that squatters/settlers must be relocated before their houses are demolished. This is definitely a more humane approach for B40 communities.
I now put the ball in the court of the current Menteri Besar, as well as DAP MPs and ADUNs who have long been involved with the Kampung Jalan Papan settlers. Many former Kg Papan leaders were also DAP members. Have they gone soft on the developer? I asked this simply because it seems now that Melati Ehsan is calling the shots.
A protest held on Thursday to stop the eviction on Monday and a meeting with State Exco Datuk Borhan Ahmad Shah provided some light. He assured them that only empty units will be demolished, and the Government is working with the developer to provide houses
Whatever the settlers must not be bullied. Their rights must be prioritised over profit.
S.Arutchelvan
PSM Deputy Chairperson and Gabungan Marhaen
