Landowner blamed for illegal settlement by foreign nationals
Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- The land owner is identified as the primary reason for foreign nationals, believed to be Rohingya refugees, building and occupying unapproved housing in Sungai Tekali, Hulu Langat.
- Local assemblyman Johan Abd. Aziz stated that enforcement agencies have conducted operations, but the landowner's permission for construction and utility provision complicates efforts.
- Aziz plans to raise the issue again in the next District Action Meeting to ensure comprehensive action against all involved parties, not just the occupants.
The landowner is accused of being the root cause of unapproved housing being built and occupied by foreign nationals, believed to be Rohingya refugees, in Sungai Tekali, Hulu Langat. Datuk Johan Abd. Aziz, the assemblyman for Dusun Tua, highlighted that the issue has been raised in the Hulu Langat District Action Meeting since last year.
It's not just violating the rules set, but also making it difficult for government agencies to handle the issue effectively.
Despite various enforcement actions, monitoring, and operations by relevant agencies, the landowner's consent for the settlement and construction of structures without approval, including providing utilities like water and electricity, remains the main obstacle. Johan stated that this not only violates regulations but also hinders government agencies from effectively addressing the problem.
While specific details of ongoing enforcement operations cannot be disclosed, Johan emphasized that the landowner's role is a key factor in the persistence of the issue. He argued that actions should not solely target the occupants but must also focus on those who permit and facilitate these activities on their land.
That's why action cannot only focus on the occupants, but must also focus on those who allow and facilitate this activity to happen on their land.
Johan plans to bring this matter up again at the upcoming District Action Meeting to ensure a more comprehensive approach is taken against all parties involved. He believes that legal action against all implicated individuals is necessary for a thorough and effective resolution. Reports suggest approximately 400 Rohingya individuals have established a settlement at the location. Johan also expressed gratitude to radio host and actor Azad Jasmin for bringing the issue to public attention.
All parties involved must be taken action according to the existing legal provisions so that this issue can be resolved comprehensively and effectively.
Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.