ACA urged to probe 'food for demolition'
Malaysiakini.com
Dec 7, 2006
Wong Yeen Fern

The Anti-Corruption Agency has been urged to probe the alleged collusion between the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) and a developer in demolishing houses in Kampung Berembang, including the provision of food to local council officers.

Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (Jerit) submitted a memo addressed to ACA director Zulkipli Mat Nor on the issue today.

The three-page memorandum listed seven queries:

   1. If the land belongs to the government, why is the developer allowed to construct a building even as the villagers’ houses were being demolished.

   2. Why was the meeting on whether or not to proceed with the demolition held at the developer’s office? Isn’t there a conflict of interest?

   3. The houses were demolished under the Emergency Ordinance. The ordinance only allows for the tearing down of structures and not seizure or property and vehicles. (During the demolition exercise, cars were towed away and property seized).

   4. Why did MPAJ enforcement officers use machinery belonging to the developer instead of their own to tear down the houses.

   5. Why were MPAJ personnel given food paid for by the developer?

   6. Why were private tow trucks used (to remove cars)?

   7. Why was the surau in Kampung Berembang demolished without any notice?

Meanwhile, Jerit spokesperson S Arutchelvan said they have submitted photographs and documents to the ACA regarding this issue.

“If they (ACA) need more to conduct an investigation, we can also give them our statements,” he told reporters outside the ACA headquarters in Putrajaya.

He said Jerit and Kampung Berembang residents are looking forward to meet with ACA officers over this matter.

Arutchelvan added that the matter was raised with the ACA based on MPAJ’s statement in the Shah Alam High Court on Nov 14 that the land belonged to the government.

The demolition of the 30-year-old village which is less than 10km from the Kuala Lumpur City Centre saw open physical confrontation between the villagers and MPAJ's enforcement personnel.

In the past two weeks, some 60 villagers, backed by Jerit and several other non-government organisations, had resisted the demolition exercise until they were forcibly removed by MPAJ, who had the backing of the police and the Federal Reserve Unit.

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