The Cabinet is looking into the controversy sparked by the demolition of houses at Kampung Jalan Papan in Klang and is prepared to help resolve the matter, government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil said.
Fahmi said the issue was mentioned “in passing” at the Cabinet’s weekly meeting today and that several ministers had asked for the matter to be handled prudently to ensure it does not get out of hand.
“We are keeping tabs on it. If there is any way for us to help manage and resolve the issue, we will discuss it with the Selangor menteri besar,” he said, adding that because it was a land matter, the issue fell under the state government’s purview.
Fahmi told reporters this when asked if the federal government had considered intervening in the matter.
More than 30 houses, including occupied homes, have been demolished to make way for a redevelopment project, despite instructions from the state government that no forced evictions or demolition of occupied homes and premises should be carried out.
Police said 11 men and three women had been detained as of yesterday following the commotion that broke out during demolition works at the site on Wednesday.
Former Klang MP Charles Santiago and Parti Sosialis Malaysia had earlier urged the Selangor government to halt the demolition, warning that close to 100 families could be displaced.
The state government said on Oct 23 that only vacant houses and business premises would be demolished. However, on Oct 27, the residents received a fresh notice to vacate their homes.
They have appealed to menteri besar Amirudin Shari to intervene and halt the demolition.
