PETALING JAYA: In 2006, 29 squatter families from Kampung Muniandy, Kampung Pinang and Kampung Petaling Tin were told to temporarily relocate to longhouses in Jalan PJS1, as the land they were occupying would be redeveloped.
The squatters were also promised free low-cost apartments in RKR Block E in Jalan PJS 1, which was then under construction. However, 18 years on, they are still waiting for the promise to be fulfilled.
Fed up, the villagers banded together and formed an action committee with Sugumaran Muniandy as its president.
“Since moving out of our squatter areas, we have been treated like a football and have been kicked around from one place to another in Jalan PJS1.
“Our current longhouses are the third place we have moved into since being relocated from the three squatter areas in 2006.”
Sugumaran said the initial promise of moving into low-cost apartments at RKR Block E in PJS 1 remained unfulfilled due to construction delays and finally, abandonment of the project.
He said the longhouse residents, who have since fallen to just 20 families, are now living in a state of neglect and poor living conditions with flood management and hygiene problems.
Socialist Party of Malaysia coordinator Gandipan Nantha Gopalan called on authorities to urgently intervene.
“The area has been deteriorating since 2020 and despite the residents’ repeated pleas to the Petaling Jaya City Council, local councillor and MP to address the issues, nothing much has been done.
“Our efforts have been unfruitful. Even though we have complained to the mayor and relevant authorities, there has not been any follow-up action.”
Gandipan said at a meeting in 2018, the council and Selangor government assured longhouse residents that they could remain in the longhouse until the low-cost apartments were ready for occupation.
He claimed that the residents were also informed that they could live in the apartments without having to pay rent or maintenance, and took responsibility for looking after the longhouse area.
However, Gandipan added that despite the authorities’ promises, the situation is far from ideal, with flooding being experienced for the past few years.
“Every time it rains, pumps used in flood mitigation have to be manually activated by council staff. But the system is ineffective.
“When there is a delay or should the water pumps malfunction, the longhouses get flooded and we have to contact the councillor’s office to act on the matter.”
He said the response has become increasingly lax and the longhouse residents are now demanding a prompt response from the authorities.
Longhouse resident Velan Subramanian, 46, said they were promised safety and support when they moved there, but they are left to fend for ourselves. Each time it rains, they worry that their homes will get flooded.
“We have spent a lot of money replacing furniture ruined by the floods. It has been tough paying for new furniture and fixing our temporary houses.”
Velan added that the water pressure in the longhouses is notably low, making it insufficient for their daily needs, and the absence of lighting in the longhouse area poses significant safety hazards.
“This lack of illumination has unfortunately led to the area becoming a site for rubbish dumping.”
Velan said the residents have consistently reached out to the authorities with appeals and petitions, and spoken up about their struggles.
“But it’s as if nobody is listening. We are hoping for assistance, yet it feels like we are all alone in this mess.”
He said the residents are demanding action from authorities to improve their living conditions and safeguard their well-being.
The MP for the area, Lee Chean Chung, assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin and councillor Norah Mansor could not be reached for comment.
