Monday May 4, 2009
Trouble brewing in Kepong
By YIP YOKE TENG
TENSION is worsening between residents at Desa Satu Apartment, Desa Aman Puri in Kepong and the Nigerian tenants there.
The residents are so tired of the foreigners’ rowdy behaviour that they have embarked on a signature campaign to oust them from the neighbourhood.
More than 800 residents signed the memorandum after a violent fight between residents and Nigerian occupants broke out at about 10pm on April 25. It is learnt that four Nigerians and two locals were injured during the fracas.
The residents are not convinced even after a dialogue was held on April 30 with the assistant High Commissioner of Nigeria Gladys Adebiyi, Gombak OCPD Asst Comm Abdul Rahim Abdullah, Subang MP R. Sivarasa’s aide Peter Chong, Paya Jaras assemblyman Datuk Muhamad Bushro Mat Johor and Selayang Municipal councillor Lim Jit Lee.
In their midst: Residents of Kepong and some foreigners boarding a bus in the area. Residents’ association chairman Noorizan Samsudin said that even though there was no evidence of vice activities, Nigerian occupants had been a nuisance to residents.
“We have had many complaints from women that they were harassed by the Nigerians. They asked for telephone numbers and even dates in an intimidating way,” he said.
“Maybe such acts are common in their country but we certainly do not like it here,” he said.
According to Noorizan, there are about 120 Nigerians, said to be students, residing at the apartments while almost 50% of the 1,200 units are occupied by foreign workers and students. “There have been reports of drug abuse and thefts since they moved in two years ago. We used to have a peaceful life here,” he said.
He said the association had contacted the landlords but could not find a solution as real estate agents were also involved in the rental agreement.
Another committee member, Norhasli Nordin, who witnessed the fracas, said it was sparked off when two groups squabbled over a TV channel at a restaurant in Block 4.
“Tempers flared. The Nigerian occupants went off to seek their friends’ help while residents rushed to the commercial area in Aman Puri to lend support. Occupants from other countries do not like them either. Soon, it turned into a riot involving some 50 Nigerians and 1,000 residents,” he said.
He added that the police arrived in time to prevent further hostilities but the residents were very angry. He and 10 other witnesses were detained.
Resident Sarif Jihim added: “Nigerian couples display their affection explicitly in public. It is not appropriate in our society but they even do this in front of our children. We cannot tolerate this.”
Ramzi Din, also a committee member, said it would be better if the students moved out in view of mounting tension.
“More than 800 have already signed to support the campaign. The Nigerian tenants also bring their friends here. Another fight can erupt anytime and the consequence is unimaginable,” he said.
Adebiyi said they would ensure that the students did not create problems and that they would co-operate with the locals.
“I believe an understanding has been struck between the locals and the students where both sides would respect and understand each other,” adding that she did not understand why the locals were insisting that they wanted the students out as they were the ones renting the units to them.
“It is not morally right for the landlords, who had taken rental from their tenants, to suddenly ask them to leave.
“The students have not done anything to the locals. The locals complained about noise and I have advised the students about this. However, there is nothing much we can do if it stems from prejudice against somebody,” said Adebiyi.
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