Demolition of Bukit Malut illegal settlement begins

LANGKAWI: The Kedah government's wholly-owned Permodalan Kedah Bhd (PKB) today began demolishing 41 houses that were illegally built on its land in Kampung Bukit Malut here.

The operation was carried out after PKB secured an order from the Alor Star High Court on April 12.

Lawyer Muhamad Aiman Mohd Nahzery, who represents PKB, said it had obtained the court order to demolish 89 houses built illegally on a 16.19ha piece of land belonging to the company.

"The demolition began with abandoned homes and those under construction to stop any new trespassing activity on the said land.

"We have obtained information that the land is being sold without PKB approval as the landowner," he said at the site.

Aiman said the demolition was also meant to send a clear signal to stop any sale of the land.

"We have given the squatters ample time, with (evacuation) notice issued to them last year prior to today's demolition work," he said.

The demolition work was done under the heavy presence of policemen to avoid any untoward incident.

Langkawi police chief Assistant Commissioner Shariman Ashari said 120 enforcement personnel from various agencies were present to monitor the situation while the demolition was carried out.

"They are from the district police headquarters, the Marine police, the Fire and Rescue Department and the Civil Defence Force.

"Present to assist were staff from Syarikat Air Darulaman (Sada), Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), the Energy Commission and General Operations Force members from Kulim," he said when contacted.

Shariman said there was no untoward incident reported throughout the operation.

Checks showed that the Bukit Malut bypass leading to the site was closed for traffic.

A squatter, who only wished to be identified as Yusof, 40, said he had been having sleepless nights since last week after being informed that his home would be demolished.

"Today I am told that they are tearing down the abandoned houses first. Still, my home will eventually be demolished.

"We are worried because we have not been told whether we are going to be relocated," he said.

Another squatter, Abdul Rahim Ali, 31, pleaded for a renegotiation between PKB and the residents.

"We are appealing for PKB to spare the houses that are still being occupied and renegotiate.

"Many of us have forked out up to RM40,000 to build each of the houses and we have nowhere to go once our homes are demolished," he said.

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