Simpang Batu
Jun 1st, 2007 by Tian
Village folks and law enforcers waiting for final demolition order
Kampong Simpang Batu located at the river bank of Sungai Gombak. To enter the kampong, one has to turn into Jalan Kolam Air from Jalan Ipoh. The kampong used to be inhabited by hundred over families, now only the extended families of Sheik Ahmad left.
The residents of the kampong have sought KeADILan’s help a few months ago. Last March, I accompanied Ahmad and his families to negotiate with officers from the KL City Council (DBKL). Because they posses no official title over the land, the authorities insist that they are merely squatters. So far negotiation achieved no satisfactory outcome.
Early May, the houses in Kg had been sprayed with red paint “ROBOH 29/5/07″.
As promised by the spray paint, DBKL demolition men came to Kampong Simpang Batu on 29 May 2007. This was not a surprise. Kamil, Syed Harun, Saralily and several members of KeADILan Batu division were present to show our support.
The residents were told that DBKL offered them to be relocated to low cost flats in Taman Wahyu Kepong. Although unwilling to vacate their land, Ahmad’s families pledged to delay the relocation and demolition. They hope that the authorities give them until end of the year in order to prepare the move. Their children need to apply for school transfer. Ahmad has a small family business of making ‘tempe’. He too asked for time to look for new premise.
After a long negotiation, we were given an unspecified extension on condition that the residents begin processing their application for transfer to public flats. Ahmad and his family members were relieved to have rood over their heads for a few more weeks.