The deputy speaker says since the residents have been compensated, there is no need to debate the planned demolition exercise tomorrow.
KUALA LUMPUR: An emergency motion to debate the planned demolition of houses in the Bukit Jalil estate tomorrow was rejected.
Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee turned down the motion after it was tabled by PSM-Sungai Siput MP Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj under Standing Order 18(1).
Kiandee said that the residents were already compensated by the government, so there is no need to debate the matter.
“I am very disappointed,” Jeyakumar told reporters at the Parliament lobby later.
“The speaker has to give space to discuss this issue because tomorrow the authorities will destroy the houses. This is something we don’t want to see,” he said, calling the demolition a “barbaric act.”
Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is looking to evict some 41 families, some of whom have been living on the estate for generations.
In 1980, the government acquired the land for redevelopment. The land is now owned by Bukit Jalil Sdn Bhd.
Despite heavy posturing and some persuasion by the authorities, the residents have refused to budge, with opposition politicians rushing to their aid.
The paltry compensation offered by the Federal Territories and Urban Well-Being Ministry was also decried by Pakatan Rakyat MPs.
The government offered RM23,000 each to residents who have worked on the estate for more than 15 years while the rest were offered RM11,000 each.
Penang Deputy Chief Minister II and Batu Kawan MP P Ramasamy also took the government to task over the compensation.
“Can you even buy a low-cost flat with this kind of money?” asked the DAP leader.
Ramasamy also argued that the least the government could have done was to give each family a double-storey terrace house.
He was also worried that DBKL will bring a host of security personnel, including those from the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) and even gangsters to chase out the residents tomorrow.
Sharing Ramasamy’s sentiments, Jeyakumar said that a “big crowd” may gather in defence of the estate tomorrow.
KUALA LUMPUR: An emergency motion to debate the planned demolition of houses in the Bukit Jalil estate tomorrow was rejected.Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee turned down the motion after it was tabled by PSM-Sungai Siput MP Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj under Standing Order 18(1).
Kiandee said that the residents were already compensated by the government, so there is no need to debate the matter.
“I am very disappointed,” Jeyakumar told reporters at the Parliament lobby later.
“The speaker has to give space to discuss this issue because tomorrow the authorities will destroy the houses. This is something we don’t want to see,” he said, calling the demolition a “barbaric act.”
Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is looking to evict some 41 families, some of whom have been living on the estate for generations.
In 1980, the government acquired the land for redevelopment. The land is now owned by Bukit Jalil Sdn Bhd.
Despite heavy posturing and some persuasion by the authorities, the residents have refused to budge, with opposition politicians rushing to their aid.
The paltry compensation offered by the Federal Territories and Urban Well-Being Ministry was also decried by Pakatan Rakyat MPs.
The government offered RM23,000 each to residents who have worked on the estate for more than 15 years while the rest were offered RM11,000 each.
Penang Deputy Chief Minister II and Batu Kawan MP P Ramasamy also took the government to task over the compensation.
“Can you even buy a low-cost flat with this kind of money?” asked the DAP leader.
Ramasamy also argued that the least the government could have done was to give each family a double-storey terrace house.
He was also worried that DBKL will bring a host of security personnel, including those from the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) and even gangsters to chase out the residents tomorrow.
Sharing Ramasamy’s sentiments, Jeyakumar said that a “big crowd” may gather in defence of the estate tomorrow.
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