KUALA LUMPUR: The exploitation of the housing issue in Kampung Sri Makmur must immediately stop.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari's political secretary, Rahim Ahmad Kasdi, said the claim that dozens of copies of the Quran were destroyed during the demolition process was slander against public servants and security officers.
"I am deeply saddened by the actions of some political leaders.
"They are abusing this issue to seize the deputy president position in the party election," he said today.
"YB Hamzah Zainudin, YB Azmin Ali and YB Hilman Idham have gone beyond limits. They are misusing the Quran for political purposes in Kampung Sri Makmur.
"They should be more responsible when speaking to the public."
Rahim said the housing issue started in 2006 when the government offered homes to squatter residents.
Most of the squatter residents accepted the homes, but some wanted compensation.
In July 2006, the Selayang Municipal Council demolished the vacant squatter units.
Following the decision to develop the area, the Gombak District and Land Office conducted a census to identify the original squatter residents.
Rahim said the squatter residents of Kampung Sri Makmur were left in uncertainty due to the failure of the then chief minister to find a solution to the issue in 2016.
"In 2018, a new plan was made. The land was sold and efforts were made to help squatter residents own homes after the new administration took over."
The Selangor State Development Corporation sold the land to Rexpoint Resources Sdn Bhd in September 2020.
The state government ensured that original squatter residents of Kampung Sri Makmur could own their own homes.
"Residents had to prove they lived there before 2006. But some who have left still wanted compensation," Rahim said.
The state government offered 21 original squatter residents Rumah Selangorku Seri Temenggung homes with an area of 750 sq ft. This came with a subsidy of RM65,000 per family and a relocation fee of RM1,000 from the developer.