SHAH ALAM – The demolition of homes in Kampung Jalan Papan, Pandamaran in Klang, has escalated into a tense dispute between residents, developers, and the Selangor state government.
Promises of replacement housing and fair compensation have allegedly been largely unfulfilled, leaving decades-long residents fearful for their homes, livelihoods and dignity.
Background: A Community at Risk
Kampung Jalan Papan has been home to its residents for decades, with some families tracing their roots back to the 1960s.
Over the years, residents obtained Temporary Occupation Licences (TOLs) around 1995, paying for utilities and actively participating in civic life.
Yet, despite living on land originally owned by the Selangor state government, the area was eventually handed over to a state agency and later sold to a private developer.
Residents had been assured that the development would include replacement two-storey homes priced affordably at RM99,000. However, these promises were reportedly never fulfilled.
“The land was originally allocated by the Selangor state government to TPPT to resolve squatter issues but was later sold to a private developer with a written promise that every original resident would receive a double-storey home worth RM99,000.
“The promised homes were never built; instead, bulldozers arrived and those seeking justice were arrested,” former Klang Member of Parliament (MP), Charles Santiago said.
The Initial Orders and Residents’ Response
On Oct 21, residents received eviction notices, followed by a court order allowing demolition of certain homes.
Around 500 residents, many elderly, protested in front of the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Building, urging Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari to intervene.
Resident M. Nathan, 55, voiced the frustration of many: “This house was built by my father and has been our family home for decades. Most of us here are elderly and cannot afford to rent new homes if the eviction goes ahead.”
Similarly, Teoh Ah Guat, 83, said, “We hope the Selangor government will stop this eviction because we have lived here since before independence.”
Residents also criticised the lack of clear, official documentation confirming compensation or replacement housing.
Low Siew Lam, 55, highlighted the disparity between promised and actual compensation: “I built this house myself with four bedrooms and two bathrooms. Its current value is easily over RM200,000, so RM7,000 in compensation makes no sense. If our houses are demolished without replacement, where are we supposed to live?”
Demolitions Begin Despite Agreements
Despite government assurances, demolition operations commenced on Nov 11, starting with 20 houses.
“The order stated that only vacant houses could be demolished, but even those still occupied were destroyed,” Low added.
By Nov 12, at least 23 homes had been torn down, with police and the Light Strike Force (LSF) deployed to manage residents who protested the operations.
Tensions escalated as some residents attempted to resist the demolition, leading to minor scuffles. South Klang District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Ramli Kasa monitored the situation.
Meanwhile, Pandamaran State Assemblyman Tony Leong urged the developer to act humanely.
“Out of 181 houses, 30 owners are eligible for compensation. They do not want money; they just want reasonably priced replacement homes. The developer should show compassion; these residents are willing to move if fair compensation is given,” he said.
Arrests Amidst the Chaos
During the demolition, five people were taken into custody, including Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) Deputy Chairperson S. Arutchelvan, activist M. Mythreyar, residents’ representative M. Logesvaran and Mandiri members Wong Kueng Hui and Fakrurrazzi, also known as Peko.
“They were taken to the South Klang District Police Headquarters under Section 186 for allegedly obstructing public officers from performing their duties.
“Their only ‘crime’ was defending homes that the government itself had promised to protect,” Charles added.
Broken Promises and the Human Cost
Residents and activists have repeatedly pointed out that the state government and developers failed to honour past commitments.
“Most residents never received any compensation or replacement homes. Some even returned the RM7,000 compensation because the promised homes never materialized,” Arutchelvan said.
For residents like Mahendran, 50, the situation is especially dire.
“I broke my left leg in an accident last year and still have not fully recovered. How can I move in this condition? Last week, I had to undergo another surgery on my thigh, and now I am being evicted,” he said.
Another resident, Lim Hua Kee, 66, slammed the labelling of villagers as illegal occupants: “They claim we are illegal occupants, but we have documents from the state government allowing us to stay here. The truth is, the developer itself is breaking the law by carrying out this demolition.”
The Kampung Jalan Papan case has become emblematic of broader issues in urban development and governance.
“Development means nothing if it is built on betrayal. Progress is meaningless when the state’s own people are left without roofs, rights, or recourse,” Charles further stressed.
Many residents emphasise that their fight is not against development per se but for dignity, fairness and the fulfilment of government promises.
With decades of history tied to their homes, they demand humane treatment and adherence to prior agreements.
What’s Next
The situation remains unresolved. While Selangor Housing and Culture Exco Datuk Borhan Aman Shah had previously assured that only unoccupied homes would be demolished, residents allege that this directive was ignored.
Meetings with the state government and developer representatives continue to be sought and calls for fair compensation or replacement housing persist.
As Kampung Jalan Papan residents face an uncertain future, their struggle highlights the human cost of rapid urban development and the challenges of balancing state-led progress with citizens’ rights.