TWO KAMPUNG CHUPADAK SETTLERS ARRESTED
Sentul, 6 December 2007
At around 1.30pm, a team of police led by Inspector Mas Perwira and eleven other policemen without uniform encroached into Kampung Chupadak to arrest two leading leaders of the Kampung Chupadak struggle – Siti Soleha (Wan) and Rasidah. The police said that the developer Sri Murni have made against them. The settlers resisted the arrest and asked the police to furnish their ID card or a warrant of arrest during the standoff with the settlers. The settlers also questioned the double standards as they too have lodged report against the developer and asked if the develop was arrested.
The police then changed the script and said that they wanted to record their statement and the developer is also present at the police station. The two leaders refused to follow the police but then accompanied by other settlers went to the police station.
While recording the statement, further ruckus took place when the police refused to inform them about their rights while recording the statement and asked them irrelevant questioned. When the dissatisfied leaders were angry with the police and went to file a new police report, they were handcuffed. Further intervention by PSM’s Chairperson Dr. Nasir Hashim, the case was then taken over by another higher officer ASP Idris who then after listening to them, allowed the two leaders to leave.
Dr. Nasir later spoke of the vast violation which took place during the procedure like those arrested not being told of their rights while the investigation is not done by a neutral officer but by the arresting officer.
The settlers are also frustrated than during the entire period, the officer Mas Wira seems to be having constant discussion with the developer. The settlers are now quite convinced that the police are taking orders from the developer.
The Kampung Chipadak struggle has went on for 15 years. It has been quite for some time but it slowly starting to explode again.
Parames e
Sekretariat JERIT