PETALING JAYA (Dec 1, 2006): Women's Development Collective (WDC) today condemned Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ)'s use of violence to remove settlers in Kampung Berembang.

"It is a gross violation of basic human rights," said WDC executive director Maria Chin Abdullah in a statement via e-mail.

She said MPAJ officers had also thrown chairs and forcibly removed the settlers during the demolition of about 50 houses in the village on Nov 20.

"The 50 families affected by these inhumane and brutal actions have stayed in the kampung for more than 30 years and they are being evicted because of the Selangor government's policy of ÔZero Squatters'.

"The settlers were served eviction notices even before their alternative homes had been completed," she added.

"More importantly, in April 2006, the settlers had taken a court case against MPAJ to halt the evictions and the hearing is only five months away.

"MPAJ's actions clearly show its disrespect for the legal process. It is extremely unfortunate MPAJ has resorted to undemocratic means to assert its powers," she added.

Yesterday, the MPAJ arrested 11 people, comprising settlers and NGO representatives, for preventing the destruction of the village's two-storey surau (prayer hall), the last remaining structure in the village.

She called for an immediate halt to further incursions and violations in Kampung Berembang by MPAJ, the police and developers.

"Any action should only be taken after the court's decision on the case. Immediate housing has to be allocated to the settlers whose houses have been destroyed," she said.

"MPAJ officials who have used violence during the eviction should be taken to task and charged accordingly," said Maria Chin.

Another non-governmental organisation, Sisters in Islam (SIS) and other activists also protested against the evictions by handing over a memorandum to Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo on Tuesday (Nov 28, 2006).

"We understand Kampung Berembang villagers had managed to get written instructions from the Prime Minister's Department and the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), calling for a postponement of the evictions pending a court decision to ensure adequate compensation and reparations for the villagers," said SIS programme manager Norhayati Kaprawi.

"SIS was also informed that Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (JAIS) officers were present during the the demolition of the surau. We question the presence of JAIS in this matter, and we are disgusted by the humiliating way in which the surau was destroyed," said Norhayati.

"We understand that the residents of Kampung Berembang had managed to get written instructions from the Prime Minister's Department and the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), calling for a postponement of the evictions pending a court decision to ensure adequate compensation and reparations for the villagers," said SIS programme manager Norhayati Kaprawi.