A group of over 20 villagers presented a memorandum to an officer at the Selangor state secretary’s office in Shah Alam.

They also picketed outside the state government building, holding placards which read, “Help us urban settlers, we have been here for 30 years,” and “We want to be relocated, it is our human right”.

Group spokesman Noora Mustafa said the residents were only seeking reasonable compensation or placement in alternative low-cost housing.

“A representative of the Selangor MB accepted our memorandum and said discussions would take place within the next 24 hours.

“We ask for a reasonable settlement on the land if the area is developed into a housing estate, or for the government to fully bear the cost of relocation,” she told reporters, claiming that the land was due to be developed into luxury properties and a hospital.

A dispute between the villagers and current landowner the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS), went to court in January, with the residents subsequently losing. Although no eviction notice has been served, PKNS can order the villagers to vacate the land.

Noora said the villagers were offered a conditional compensation of RM35,000 in 2007 but many failed to get approval for the loan process to claim the amount. The villagers are now demanding a new settlement of no more than RM150,000.

PKNS should have no issue offering the settlement given that it stood to profit from housing projects developed on the land, Noora said.

The villagers have appealed the court decision, with the latest case management held on Monday.

Homeowner Awang Jusoh hoped Amirudin would hear their pleas and come to their aid. Another resident, Rohayati Rahman, expressed sadness over the uncertainty of the situation. “Some villagers have lived at Kampung Sri Makmur for 20, 30 years,” she said.