SHAH ALAM, June 2 — The Selangor government in 2006 offered homes to squatters in Kampung Sri Makmur, Gombak, who had settled on land belonging to the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS), said Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari’s political secretary A. Rahim Kasdi.
He said the offer was made after a 2006 census of original settlers in the village was carried out by the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) and the Gombak Land and District Office (PDTG).
Many of the settlers accepted the state government’s offer to relocate to low-cost homes in Selayang Mulia, while others rejected the offer and demanded compensation.
MPS in July 2006 demolished empty housing units in the village. In 2016, after a decision was made to develop the area, PDTG performed another census to identify original settlers in the area who had been there from before 2006.
However, Kampung Sri Makmur squatters were left in an uncertain situation as the then Menteri Besar in 2016 could not come up with a solution.
Rahim said Gombak Setia assemblyman Hilman Idham, who criticised the current state government’s approach to handling the case, was special officer to the then Menteri Besar in 2016 and supported the demolition of the squatter site.
He said when the new state administration took over in 2018, it decided to pursue a planned development in Kampung Sri Makmur, and PKNS sold the land to Rexpoint Resources Sdn Bhd in September 2020.
Rahim emphasised that the state government wanted to ensure the original settlers of Kampung Sri Makmur could become homeowners after squatting for so long. He said Amirudin ordered MPS, PDTG and PKNS to check and confirm the 2006 and 2016 census lists to identify the original settlers of the village so no party can take advantage of the process.
He said the state government then offered the original settlers a chance to purchase 750sqft units of Rumah Selangorku (RSKU) Seri Temenggung with a subsidy of RM65,000 per family and relocation fee of RM1,000 from the developer. This was offered to 21 original settlers listed in the 2006 and 2016 census as confirmed by PDTG.
Following that, the Selangor Housing and Property Board issued RSKU offer letters, which were distributed by the developer to the 21 original settlers.
Rahim said the PDTG required settlers to submit evidence that they have been living in Kampung Sri Makmur since before 2006 and were involved in the 2006 and 2016 census. Unfortunately, some settlers who left the area had demanded the same compensation offered to original settlers.
He said he was directed by Amirudin to protect the original Kampung Sri Makmur settlers, as the relocation process is not easy. He added that the solution was proof the Selangor government had acted conscientiously to ensure the rights of the original Kampung Sri Makmur settlers to own homes at subsidised rates not offered to other communities.
The residents were first notified to vacate the land in 2006. While some relocated under the Setinggan Sifar programme then, others stayed due to financial constraints.
A second eviction notice was issued in 2018, leading to a court case in 2020. On August 18 last year, the court ordered a full evacuation by August 31.
Some residents have also sent a memorandum to Amirudin previously, seeking a resolution to their situation.
On May 25, local authorities demolished homes within Kampung Sri Makmur. Videos of the demolition have gone viral on social media, prompting criticism from certain quarters.
Rahim also denied that holy books and religious material, including copies of the al-Quran, were destroyed in the May 25 demolition, calling the accusation slanderous to civil servants and security officers.
He condemned Bersatu members, including Hilman, with “political addictions” who sensationalised the issue to scramble for positions ahead of the party polls, which would not benefit the people of Selangor.
