Idris says most of the original settlers in the village worked at the port.
RESIDENTS of Kampung Sungai Sireh Tambahan in Port Klang want the Selangor government to settle their longstanding land ownership issue.
The settlers had applied for the land which had been opened up in the 1980s by workers working at the port.
Surau Nurul Falah deputy chairman Idris Mat Ali said, “This was idle land filled with swamps and mangrove trees. It was cleared to make a settlement.
“The majority of the original settlers worked at the port, including my late father.”
He added that there were some 260 homes there now.
“Proper roads were built in the village.
“It was part of the state government’s initiative to give land to the villagers,” Idris told StarMetro.
As part of the application to transfer ownership to them, the villagers were asked to pay RM27,000 in two instalments to the Selangor Housing and Property Board (LPHS), he said.
However, the deal fell through in 2017 after many of the residents failed to make payments, according to a letter by LPHS addressed to the villagers.
The letter dated May 4, 2017, which was seen by StarMetro, also stated that those who had paid would receive a refund.
Idris, however, claimed that some 80% of the residents had made the initial payment of RM13,500 to LPHS.
Last year, representatives from the village engaged Pertubuhan Perubahan Rakyat Malaysia (Gerak) to help with the matter.
Gerak secretary-general Syed Ahmad Putra Syed Isa said several meetings were held in June, August and November to decide on the course of action.
They then decided to hold a town hall meeting, which was attended by more than 100 villagers, to discuss how to move forward.
“A letter will also be sent to Selangor government soon, urging for action to be taken within three months,” said Syed Ahmad.
Also present at the town hall meeting were Gerak (Selangor) adviser Raja Ahmad Raja Ab Wahid and former Kapar MP S. Manikavasagam.
When the issue was brought up in the state assembly last year, the Selangor government said the matter could not be resolved due to a lack of cooperation from villagers.
An LPHS spokesperson, when contacted by StarMetro, said that 62 out of 262 registered owners had yet to claim their refund.
“Houseowners can submit their claims directly to LPHS. There is no intermediary involved.
“For those who have died, the heirs can submit their claim with the necessary documents via the Amanah Raya Bhd,” she said.
