KUALA LUMPUR: Mohamad Najib Mokhtar could not hold back his emotions when he witnessed the demolition of a surau and his house.
The latter structure, which had been his home for the past 12 years is being demolished to make way for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project.
Najib, 70, a retired policeman and the Kampung Desa Mukmin Warisan chairman, said his appeal to postpone the demolition was rejected by the Selangor Lands and Mines office, Selayang Municipal Council and the police.
"I am very sad because the surau was built with my hard work, with no assistance from the state or federal government.
"It was from the waqaf donations from the public, especially from former police officers. That makes me very sad.
"I pleaded for the surau not to be demolished but they insisted on tearing it down. The funds were donated by the people, we have not given them any compensation. Why destroy it?" he asked.
About 150 homes of residents living within the ECRL alignment had been demolished in an operation today.
Previously, it was reported that 157 residents affected were given ex-gratia compensation.
Selangor Housing and Heritage Committee chairman Borhan Aman Shah had said the state government, in collaboration with Malaysia Rail Link (MRL) had offered compensation to homeowners and tenants who needed to vacate their residences before Jan 15.
Najib said seven houses in the area were not demolished as they were not part of the ECRL route.
He also confirmed receiving an ex-gratia compensation of RM33,000, but believed that the amount was insufficient.
"My house cost RM150,000 to build, but I received a compensation of RM33,000. It's not fair," he said, adding that he planned to live with his eldest son.
Another Kampung Desa Mukmin resident, Ahmad Fadzil Arif, 45, expressed concerns about the ECRL project.
He said even though his house was not part of the demolition exercise, the project would be carried out next to his home, and was concerned about a potential second phase of the project in the area.
"We are worried about the possibility of being involved in the second phase.
"If possible, we want to maintain our residence here," said Fadzil, who has lived there for the past five years.