THE Man Meri tribe is being evicted from their village in Bagan Lalang as they have been squatting on the land for more than 20 years, said landowner Permodalan Negeri Selangor Bhd (PNSB) today.

“It must be understood that the land on which the Mah Meri have built their village is not their customary land and the decision to evict them was done in accordance with the law,” the company said in a statement.

PNSB said that they have conducted random site visits to the land since 2017 and also had discussions with the Sepang land and district office in November last year and April 12 this year.

“PNSB has followed all the procedures and requirements that are needed in giving the eviction notice to all those concerned.

“There was no objection to the notice that was served to the villagers on April 20 in the presence of officials from the land office, PDRM and PNSB.”

It also reiterated what it told The Malaysian Insight previously, that the eviction notice served as a reminder that the villagers were squatters on the land.

PNSB also confirmed it had indeed received the villagers’ letter asking for an extension, from Taha Bin Akhir, the Tok Batin of Kg Orang Asli Bukit Bangkung, who also looks after Kg Bagan Lalang.

“Based on the letter, we are open to negotiations and are ready to consider giving them more time to move taking into account the current situation,” the company said.

The 36 Orang Asli from 12 families in Kampung Orang Asli Bagan Lalang were served with the eviction notice and were given 30 days from the date of the notice to vacate.

The Orang Asli first settled on the land about 20 years ago. Acknowledging they are squatters on the land, they have asked for an extension of time, saying they were not consulted prior to receiving the eviction notice, and also have few options for relocation.

Village head Taha had cited the fasting month, Hari Raya, the Covid-19 pandemic and the fact that the villagers have nowhere to go, as reasons for an extension.

The land they are squatting on is a brief walk from the sandy beach that faces the Straits of Malacca, while the Avani Sepang Gold Coast Resort is a short distance away.

PNSB told The Malaysian Insight that the land will be developed into a tourist destination under the Sepang GoldCoast development project.

The eviction notice from PNSB’s legal department stated that Plot No 69, HS(D) 18372, PT 5249, Plot No 70, HS(D) 18373, PT 5250, HS(D) 37248 and PT 9925 belonged to the company.

“In total, PNSB owns 67.8ha of the land while the district and land office own 0.4ha of land near the General Operations Force building in the village,” it said. – May 14, 2021.