DBKL ‘vandals’ damage estate property

About 30 DBKL officers tore down the Bukit Jalil estate's banners while police officers looked on.

PETALING JAYA: The residents of Bukit Jalil estate claimed another “official vandalism” took place yesterday when nearly 30 Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) officers tore their banners.
It all took place in the presence of nearly 20 police officers.

The estate action committee treasurer K Balakrishnan said that DBKL officers arrived at the estate at about 10am and started tearing down their banners placed at the estate entrance.

“When I enquired one of officers, known as Abdullah, he told me that he was instructed by the minister to do so,” said Balakrishnan. The estate comes under the jurisdiction of the Federal Territories and Urban Well-Being Ministry.

On May 25, about 30 DBKL officers and policemen tore down their banners and damaged the chairs placed at the security post located at the entrance of the estate.

The officers allegedly refused to acknowledge an injunction issued by the Court of Appeal on May 13 against DBKL although the residents produced a copy to them.

The ex-parte interim injuction was issued against DBKL from demolishing the houses pending trial.
Balakrishnan also showed Abdullah a copy of the injunction yesterday, but the latter dismissed it saying he has a family to feed and he had no other alternative.

When Balakrishnan approached the police stationed there for assistance, the officers allegedly told him that they were there to ensure “no problems arise from the action”.

Upset over the incident, Balakrishnan, who is also Hindraf Makkal Sakthi national coordinator, criticised Federal Territories and Urban Well-Being Minister Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin over the incident.

“I hold him personally responsible for this. He has disrespected the court by going against an injunction.
“When a minister doesn’t respect the court, the people will not respect the minister,” he said.

The residents had since lodged a police report over the latest incident yesterday.

Meanwhile, Lawyers for Liberty coordinator Fadiah Nadwa Fikri said the action by the officers was tantamount to criminal intimidation.

“The officers can be charged under the Penal Code,” said Fadiah.

On whether the officers had committed contempt of court by their action, Fadiah said the officers can argue in court that they only tore down their banners, not their homes.

“I will need to discuss with my clients ( the residents) before charting my next course of action,” she said.