Amirudin said all processes have been fully followed in the matter, including the estimation of their compensation by arbitrators.

“It has been brought to court. The compensation was not determined by the developer, but by arbitrators, who I think have acted fairly. They have to accept this.

“I hope everybody will resolve this matter responsibly. The state government will give its assistance as best it can, as the WCE is highly valuable economically,” Kosmo reported him as saying in Kuala Selangor today.

Amirudin said the two-week period granted for the residents to vacate the land is enough.

“I think the new homes offered are worth enough (as compensation). (This highway project) involves thousands of people, who deserve to benefit,” he said.

He also advised critics against making the matter an issue of race or religion, saying they would only benefit politically in the short-term at the long-term expense of thousands of people.

The land acquisition process was legally completed under the Land Acquisition Act 1960 in 2023, but the landowners refused to vacate the site although 75% of RM9.85 million in compensation had already been paid to them.

Highway concessionaire WCE Sdn Bhd will be allowed to enter the site from Nov 10 for clean-up works before commencing construction.

The 233km-long highway, slated for completion in 2027, runs from Banting in Selangor to Taiping, Perak. Eight of its 11 sections have already been opened.