Led by Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) central committee member R Karthigesu, the families had hoped to meet state housing committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo but were told he was unavailable.

Instead, the families handed over a memorandum to one of Jagdeep’s officers, who said he would pass the memorandum to him.

Karthigesu, who is one of those affected by the impending eviction, said the families received the eviction notices at the end of last month.

He said they were worried that they might be locked out of their homes at any time.

“We wish to emphasise that while we have had issues with rent arrears, it is worth noting that in the past few years, we have been good paymasters in settling our rent as well as arrears. This has been acknowledged by the management.

“We are being threatened with eviction for other reasons that do not make sense,” he told reporters.

Apart from the rent arrears, Karthigesu said the other reasons given to disqualify them from staying in the low-cost units were that the tenants were single; their monthly incomes exceeded RM1,000; the monthly household income exceeded RM1,500; they were 21 years old and below; and that both spouses must be Malaysian.

He questioned the discrepancy between state and federal policies, with the latter listing qualifications for such housing as monthly household incomes not exceeding RM2,500, be aged 18 and above, and that either spouse be a Malaysian.

Karthigesu also questioned why they were being evicted when there were still many vacant units available in Rifle Range.

He claimed the last threat was made yesterday, when the families were told by the enforcement unit of the housing division to leave their units and find new housing, “as we will lock your house in a week”.

“At the same time, we have not been asked to discuss the matter. We want a meeting, but it need not be today.

“Our claims are very clear. Do not impose such conditions. We need to meet with someone who can make decisions.

“Until a meeting is held, do not force us out. If there is no meeting within a week, we will come here and camp here. What else can we do? If you evict us, we become homeless,” he said.

The families, Karthigesu said, want the rental rates to be standardised based on current rates – RM110 for a two-room flat and RM90 for a one-room flat.

He said they were confident of settling the payments, together with the arrears.