Arutchelvan: Degazettement threatens to uproot the oldest community in the area.
Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur Lands and Mines Office (PTGWP) is inviting the public to attend a public hearing on Thursday, from 9am to 4pm, at its office on the second floor of Federal House in Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, Kuala Lumpur.
The hearing follows the issuance of a proposed revocation notice for Lot 45585, a parcel of land measuring 10.54ha designated for public use near Bukit Jalil.
A PTGWP spokesperson said the proposed degazettement would involve a resurvey of the boundary between a Muslim cemetery and the Immigration building next to it.
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“The degazettement will be followed by a regazettement of a newly defined area for the Muslim burial ground and alienation of land to the Federal Land Commissioner for the Immigration building purposes.
“This is primarily an administrative procedure to adjust the boundary between the Muslim burial ground and the Immigration Department structures.”
Ladang Bukit Jalil is situated on this land. However, no information has been forthcoming to address the plight of the former estate workers living there.
“Anyone wishing to object to the proposed revocation is welcome to attend the hearing and present their objections,” the spokesperson added.
StarMetro contacted an officer from the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (Jawi), which owns the Muslim cemetery land.
The officer, who requested anonymity, said: “As far as I know, part of the land is being allocated to the Immigration Department but we don’t have further details at this time. If you require more information, I recommend attending the objection hearing this week.”
Ladang Bukit Jalil Estate Residents’ Committee advisor S. Arutchelvan expressed concern that the government’s move to degazette the land for boundary realignment and alienation indicated future development plans.
“Degazettement typically opens the door for land use changes. Even if the current stated purpose is administrative, the reclassification or transfer of land often paves the way for future developments, especially when the land is no longer designated for public use.
“The government is well aware that the Bukit Jalil ex-estate workers and their families have lived here for three to four generations.
“They should have been the first people to be consulted,” he added.
Arutchelvan said the degazettement threatened to uproot the oldest community in the area, prioritising profits and land grabs by developers over the needs of the people.
“The government promised to build houses and provide landed property on this land. What has happened to that promise?
“Ladang Bukit Jalil, where the residents still live today, is highly valuable and has become a prime target for property developers.”
He said the estate, which once spanned 728ha, had now shrunk to just 10.54ha, while the residents were asking for only 1.6ha to build their homes.
“Ladang Bukit Jalil residents who have been fighting for over 40 years, remain determined to defend the last estate in Klang Valley.
“I hope the government fulfils their requests,” added Arutchelvan. — By BAVANI M and SHALINI RAVINDRAN
