RESIDENTS of Kampung Jalan Papan protested outside the Selangor DAP convention on January 18, 2026, demanding that the state government honour its 2018 promise to build terrace houses for the village’s original settlers.
Association vice-secretary Lau Siew Lam expressed deep disappointment that DAP and PH leaders, now in power, made no serious effort to stop the demolitions of 29 occupied homes between November 10 and 14, 2025.
She noted that no DAP leaders had visited the village since the incident, despite explicit written assurances that no occupied houses would be affected. The demolitions led to the arrest of 23 residents and activists.
Lau highlighted that only seven acres of the original 95 allocated in 1995 have been returned, and promises of replacement houses and fair compensation remain unfulfilled.
“Hopefully before the next election begins, we will be able to solve this issue. We want what they promised us last time,” she said outside the convention halls.
Residents recalled that in 2008, DAP representatives persuaded them to withdraw a court injunction in exchange for a promise to build replacement houses, a commitment that was never honoured.
Although the Selangor Economic Action Council later approved terrace house construction, that decision was later reversed. Lau pointed out that 40 houses remain standing only because of ongoing court cases.
“Previously, DAP wasn’t the government, so they could not solve it. But now they are the government already and it is still the same. We just hope this can be addressed,” she said.
The group submitted a memorandum demanding:
Reinstatement of the February 26, 2018 decision to build 20’ x 70’ terrace houses priced at RM99,000
Fair compensation from developer Melati Ehsan for the 29 demolished homes
A freeze on all projects by the company until the issue is resolved
The memorandum was handed to DAP officials following a brief meeting with party chairman Gobind Singh Deo. —Jan 18, 2025
Main image: Sinar Daily
