MORE than four years ago, Malay Mail had frontpaged the Selangor government's promise to 17 families, who held Temporary Occupation Licences (TOL) for agricultural land in Kampung Perepat, Kapar, Klang that the plots would be returned to them after a long-drawn tussle.

A lawyer Datuk had used the names of his family members and friends to alienate the plots. Instead of using it for agricultural purposes, a bungalow and other terrace houses were built on the land.

Fast forward to 2009, and Malay Mail checks show that the situation hasn't changed one bit. Today, the bungalow is still there, complete with a small river channeled to a lake with water lilies within the compound. A public road leads to the residence. The gates are padlocked, making it an exclusive gated community.

Malay Mail's checks at the Klang Land Office showed that the land was still registered under the Datuk's name.

The other plots were allegedly registered to his wife, two sisters, two brothers-in-law, father-in-law and other relatives.

Also included were his business associates, including a former Terengganu political figure and a senior MCA member.

It is learnt that on Sept 9 last year, Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim's political secretary Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad had sent a letter to Klang district officer Bakhtiar Hussin seeking an explanation over the Kampung Perepat issue.

However, nine months later, Khalid's office has yet to receive a response. Khalid has declared that if the structure were found to be illegal, the government would not hesitate to tear it down.

However, he did not offer an answer on the overdue response by the district officer.

The original TOL holders, are left fuming at the audacity of the Datuk and the incompetence of the authorities.

Vengu Verrapan, 70, one of the pioneers of the area's Revolusi Hijau (Green Revolution) programme, is fighting a losing battle and is weary of waiting. The programme, initiated in 1978 under the Third Malaysia Plan, was meant to bridge the gap between the urban rich and landless poor by providing land for cultivation.

"Four years ago, we thought we had won our battle to get what was rightfully ours. The former Menteri Besar (Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo) had promised  that we would get our land back, but until today it still belongs to someone else.

"We have even sent a memorandum to the current State government, but nothing is happening," said a frustrated Vengu. "Why haven't the authorities done anything? During the last election campaign, we were promised that the matter would be resolved within 100 days of them assuming office.

"It has since been 15 months. Where are the State officials?" he said.

It is learnt that Kapar MP S. Manikavasagam would be lodging a report on the issue with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission today.

MB: If it’s illegal, we’ll demolish it

SELANGOR Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, when asked for his feedback on the long-running Kampung Perepat issue, did not mince his words.

“If it is illegal, we will demolish it,” he told Malay Mail. He added that he would deploy his officers to investigate the matter. But he declined comment when asked on the lengthy amount of time it took for the Klang District Office to respond to his query on the issue.

Meanwhile, State Executive Councillor for Health, Poverty and Caring Government Dr Xavier Jayakumar said the State is looking for an amicable solution to the issue.

“There are two groups of people, the original settlers and the current settlers, who claim the land belongs to them. Both appear to have documents to prove that the land is theirs. We cannot just go and take the land from one party and give it to another. The State can face legal action if that happens,” said the Andalas State assemblyman.