Harian Metro reported that a scuffle between residents and the authorities left Sulizmie with a bleeding wound on his face.

Police had ordered the residents to disperse but they refused. The authorities were reportedly cutting off electricity to several homes there.

The cops had also barred other members of the public from accessing parts of the area to allow for the eviction of some residents, according to Malaysiakini.

This was reportedly aimed at avoiding provocations and “unwanted incidents”.

The redevelopment of Kampung Sungai Baru was initiated in 2016, but stalled largely due to legal issues, compensation disputes and disagreements among its residents.

In July, federal territories minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the area’s long-delayed redevelopment was expected to begin in the first quarter of next year.

She said the land acquisition application under the Land Acquisition Act 1960 was submitted by the developer in October 2020 and subsequently approved by the federal territories land working committee.

Gazettement of the acquisition, involving 110 properties including 37 terrace lots, 72 flats, and a Tenaga Nasional Bhd substation, was carried out in June 2021 under Sections 4 and 8 of the Act, for residential and commercial use.