PUTRAJAYA did its best to help Kg Segambut Permai residents whose homes were demolished as per a court order, said Hannah Yeoh.

The Segambut MP said the demolition today was carried out by the landowner in accordance with the September 26 order.

“The eviction exercise started under the previous Barisan Nasional administration. Some villagers had moved out then.

“(The Pakatan Harapan) government tried its best to assist the remaining residents, including facilitating a meeting between them and the landowner to delay the demolition,” she said in a statement.

Following the meeting, she said, the landowner agreed to postpone the demolition to this month, during the school holidays.

“Some residents also moved out during this period.”

Yeoh said on November 27, she and DAP colleague Ramkarpal Singh, who is a lawyer and Bukit Gelugor MP, met village representatives in Parliament to explain the court process.

The residents were advised to seek legal help to fight the court order.

On December 9, they failed their bid to set aside the order, and the landowner proceeded with plans for the demolition.

Yeoh said she and a representative of Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad then negotiated for a delay of two weeks to allow residents’ relocation to People’s Housing Project (PPR) flats.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) conducted a survey on December 12 and 13 to determine the villagers eligible for the housing scheme. Nineteen families were allocated flats.

On December 20, DBKL offered PPR housing to another six families.

Yeoh said she also sought to put off the demolition, to save Surau Al-Firdaus, pending discussions with the Federal Territories Islamic Affairs Department.

“Various efforts were undertaken by the government to help Kg Segambut Permai residents, but both the Federal Territories Ministry and myself were unable to fulfil all of their requests.

“I hope the demolition is not politicised, and I am convinced that everyone has done their best to help.” – December 24, 2019.