Cheng Lee Whee lodging police report - a just action in defence of human rights

(SUARAM JB’s Press Statement on Cheng’s arrest )

On 16 October, Kampung Baru Plentong Tengah (KBPT) residents defended their right to housing by way of preventing the developer from demolishing their houses. 27 people were arrested by the police in the ensuing act of suppression.
Cheng, a member of SUARAM JB Secretariat, lodged a police report at Permas Jaya Police Station against such police action. On the same day she posted the report onto the Johor Police website. Because of her lodging the police report, she was arrested by the police under the ISA (Section 28) and probably under the Penal Code (Section 182).

SUARAM JB hereby issues the following statement regarding this matter:
1. Forced eviction by the developer on 16 October was in contempt of court.
KBPT Johor comprising 113 hectares, houses approximately 280 families. The Kampung residents opened up the land in 1985 to build their homes and have been residing there since then.
From the start, they have applied for land titles from Johor Bahru Land Office, but received no response regarding their applications. However, the Johor state government subsequently alienated the land to a developer instead.
In 1994, the families paid RM3,000 each to the Developer Oakfield Enterprise, totalling RM820,000, as deposit for purchase of the land. In 1996, for reasons best known to the developer, the ownership of the land was transferred to Bukit Lenang Sdn Bhd (BLSB). The company BLSB filed a suit against all residents in 1997 and commenced the action of forced eviction.
Though the company managed to obtain a court order to demolish the residents’ houses on 14 August, the Johor Bahru High Court allowed the residents’ application for stay of execution of the court order on 13 August.
A trial was initially fixed for 15 October, but was postponed to 29 October. Therefore, we believe that any forced eviction by the developer before the hearing of the trial is in contempt of court.
2. We condemn the mobilisation of a large police force to assist developer in the demolition and eviction operation.
The developer’s action of forced eviction and demolition of the residents’ houses pending stay of execution and the trial is against the law.
But a police force consisting of 553 personnel, including Federal Reserve Unit (FRU), Marine Police Unit and others, fully equipped with water canons and even helicopters, was mobilised to deal with merely over 200 unarmed residents.
It is hardly convincing for the police to say that the developer had obtained the court order, and the police were just assisting in enforcing the court order.
3. Suaram JB is a Johor-based organisation striving for democracy and human rights.
Cheng obtained a First Class Honours Degree of Bachelor of Computer Science at the University of Technology Malaysia in 2004. She works as a programmer after graduation. She is actively involved in social work.
Cheng, being the Chairman of the Human Rights Resource Centre, SUARAM JB, lodged a police report on 16 October at about 2pm at Permas Jaya Police Station (Police report No. J/JAYA/012352/08) regarding the above issue.
She also posted a similar report on the Johor police website. She undertook the task of lodging the police report on behalf of SUARAM JB.
4. Cheng’s action in lodging the police report is not her personal matter but representing the nation-wide human rights defenders
Cheng’s action in lodging the police report is not her personal matter, but representing the nation-wide defenders of human rights, including Suaram and all other NGOs. In the face of such suppression, the struggle must be waged to the end.
5. Thanks to all who show or render their support
We would like to express our gratitude to kampung residents, political parties, organizations, the public and lawyers for their concern and support shown and rendered to Cheng and SUARAM JB. We hope that everyone will continue to show their concern for further developments of this matter, and to render greater support and assistance whenever necessary.

Posted in: 1.政治, 1.政治-民主人权, 6.声明与文告, English