THE Federal Territories Land and Mines Office should not have issued an eviction notice to Kebun-Kebun Bangsar (KKB) when the matter could be resolved with a discussion between all parties, Fahmi Fadzil said. 

The Lembah Pantai MP said the eviction notice has left Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yakoob in a spot barely a fortnight after he had praised KKB during a visit. 

Ismail had showered accolades on KKB and another farm in Kerinchi, both in the Lembah Pantai parliamentary constituency. 

The eviction notice came weeks after Ismail on World Environment Day (June 5) had praised the farm and its offshoot Kebun-Kebun Kerinchi for its work.

“I don’t know what triggered this eviction notice. I feel it’s very high handed. 

“The prime minister himself acknowledged it. It would be rather embarrassing for them (authorities) to do this when the PM praised the farm,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

On Tuesday, the land office said it had taken action against the farm for violating the terms of its temporary occupation licence for nurseries. 

Office director Muhammad Yasir Yahya said the terms include violations against the type of crops planted and permanent structures having been built under electrical pylons, based on technical feedback from Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB).

If KKB fails to comply, the group could be slapped with a RM500,000 fine with a five-year jail term. The office also threatened to clear the land.

Kebun-Kebun Bangsar co-founder Ng Sek San however dismissed the office’s claims that there are permanent structures erected on the site. 

He said TNB is very particular and its officers check the site often, and insists there are no permanent structures built under electrical pylons. 

“We also have not received any warning from the office that there are illegal structures here,” Ng said. 

Fahmi said if the matter is about structures, then advice can be given by any related party such as Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) or TNB.

He said that after the eviction notice, he wrote a letter to Federal Territories Minister Shahidan Kassim urging for the eviction notice to be withdrawn and for KKB to be preserved. 

“The question is who instructed the office to do this when the PM had said good things and showered praise (on the farm). 

“Is there something more than meets the eye here? An eviction notice is a serious matter.

“If Yasir’s statement is to be disputed, the matter is really about one or two things. Is an eviction notice really necessary?”

Fahmi added that KKB is good for both the community and the public, and all should do their best to preserve the farm and find a way to resolve the matter. 

“There were issues on other matters with the office and (its personnel) were proactive and invited us to discuss the issues at their office. 

“I don’t know why there was no meeting. What we are going to do is proceed with a meeting with DBKL and find the best way forward.”

He added that Parliament opens on July 18 and if there is a need for it to be a national matter, then he will raise the issue.

“A meeting should be held soon with all parties to resolve this issue.” – July 1, 2022.