Residents of Kampung Sungai Baru who refused to be evicted were disputing the compensation sum rather than opposing the redevelopment itself, says federal territories minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa.
Zaliha said any negotiation over compensation must go through the courts, as it does not fall under the government’s jurisdiction.
She said the government’s role has been limited to facilitating development terms.
“What the residents are disputing is the issue of compensation. So, if they are still dissatisfied, the process available is through the courts,” she told a press conference here today.
She said requests to postpone the eviction must be directed to the developer, as the land had already been granted to them by the courts.
“So, if the residents still want to negotiate, they must refer to the developer, because the land already belongs to the developer,” she said.
On the commotion that occurred during the eviction yesterday, Zaliha claimed that it was incited by non-residents, though she did not disclose their identities.
“I was informed that what happened yesterday was actually carried out by people who were not even residents there. I know who those outsiders really are,” she said.
Yesterday, Dang Wangi police chief Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman was hurt in a stand-off with residents over the eviction of 37 homes when they began demanding that the authorities allow them to enter the housing area.
Sulizmie suffered from a bleeding wound on his face after being hit by an object hurled against him. Three individuals were later arrested to assist in the investigation.
