In handing over a memorandum at the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) headquarters today, Ameer Khan Bargathalli, the secretary of Jawatankuasa Gabungan Isu Perumahan dan Pampasan, said Jinjang Selatan Tambahan (JST) residents are suspicious of the developer’s “hasty” demand for them to sign a commitment letter to vacate their homes without any update on their new homes.
“Recently residents were contacted by the developer through phone calls and WhatsApp messages, trying to force them to sign a letter of commitment to vacate their house as a prerequisite for a replacement house,” Ameer said, adding that the alleged document did not carry the developer’s name nor the DBKL logo.
“Early settlers with a temporary occupation licence (TOL) deserve a replacement house without the need to sign such a letter. This is clearly an act of intimidation and it has to stop.
“Hence, we are requesting the mayor’s intervention to facilitate a meeting between the developer and residents to resolve the issues and address our demands,” he told reporters when handing over the memorandum to DBKL executive director Ismadi Sakirin.
JST residents lived in the area from 1969 under a TOL issued by DBKL until it expired in 1996.
The residents say they applied to renew the licence in 2004 but did not receive approval. Meanwhile, they paid assessment rates until 2006.
In 2007, DBKL approved mixed development plans for the land submitted by Syarikat Zil Enterprise Sdn Bhd (now known as Uttara Land Sdn Bhd).
The developer reportedly promised first-generation families an ex-gratia settlement of RM1,000 as a one-off payment, a free 900 sq ft low-cost unit and a monthly allowance of RM700 until the new accommodation was ready.
Second-generation families were supposedly offered a RM3,000 one-off sum and an 800 sq ft affordable housing unit worth RM200,000.
Some residents were relocated in phases from 2016 to make way for the development.
Separately, in 2019, the developer reportedly gave shoplot owners in the area notice to vacate their property, promising RM5,000 compensation, as well as RM5,000 vouchers to buy any property worth at least RM300,000.
Then in December 2023, following eviction notices appearing at several businesses in the area, a dialogue was arranged between the shop owners, DBKL and the developer, in which the shop owners were given three months to move with the new deadline set for February.
Today, Ameer said the developer’s rush to obtain the residents’ commitment suggests a disregard for second-generation families because their proposed homes have still not been completed.
Ameer said the developer also have imposed a new condition that only those who can show proof of TOL will be offered a house.
“DBKL has complete records of who holds TOL licences. This burden should not be shifted to the residents, many of whom are elderly and no longer possess old documents,” he said.
Ameer added that the new condition is “unreasonable and raises suspicions” among residents regarding the developer’s intentions.
The residents also demand assurance from DBKL that the replacement houses are being built and safe to occupy.
Ameer said if the authorities continue to neglect them, they will organise a formal public protest.