Unlawful arrests and forced evictions in breach of Selangor chief minister’s directive

We, the undersigned organisations, condemn the arrests of activists S. Arutchelvan and Mythreyar, as well as resident Logeswaran at around 16:00 on 12 November under Section 186 of the Penal Code. These arrests were unwarranted.

Together with Kampung Papan residents, they had clearly informed the police that the Selangor chief minister had authorised that occupied houses are not to be demolished.

This directive was issued through a 23 October media statement titled Kerajaan Negeri Cakna Isu Penempatan Peneroka Jalan Papan, which affirmed:

Kerajaan negeri menegaskan bahawa kerja-kerja perobohan hendaklah dihadkan kepada rumah dan premis perniagaan yang kosong serta tidak mempunyai penghuni sahaja selaras dengan arahan dan semangat penyelesaian secara berhemah yang telah dipersetujui bersama melalui perundingan semua pihak berkepentingan yang dipengerusikan YAB Dato Menteri Besar sendiri pada Selasa, 21hb Oktober yang lepas. 

Yet yesterday, homes still occupied by residents were forcefully cleared – belongings removed and residents physically pushed out – directly contravening the chief minister’s and the state’s directives.

The three individuals arrested were acting on the Selangor State Government’s directive that occupied houses should not be demolished until an amicable solution was achieved.

Instead, officers of Klang Selatan police headquarters, including the officer-in-charge, defied the chief minister’s directive by assisting the developer, Melati Ehsan, to forcibly evict occupants.

The arrests are therefore unnecessary and unlawful, as the three acted in accordance with the advice and directive of the chief minister and the state government.

We demand the immediate and unconditional release of S Arutchelvan, Mythreyar and Logeswaran.

We further call on the Selangor state government to intervene and ensure that the demolition is halted with no further forced evictions undertaken until all residents receive adequate alternative housing.

Endorsed by:

Individuals: