UMNO Youth Chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has pressed authorities to explain what he described as unequal enforcement in two high-profile land disputes — one involving residents of Kampung Sungai Baru and the other in Jinjang Selatan Tambahan.
The controversy emerged after homes built on individually owned land in Kampung Sungai Baru were torn down, while in Jinjang Selatan Tambahan, tenants and business operators facing eviction orders were spared from immediate demolition. The contrasting approaches, Dr Akmal argued, highlighted a double standard that raised doubts over the fairness of action taken by the authorities.
In Kampung Sungai Baru, owners were said to have lost their homes despite holding rightful claims to the land. Meanwhile, occupants in Jinjang Selatan Tambahan, who were reportedly only renting their spaces, managed to avoid the same outcome despite a court order instructing them to vacate. Dr Akmal stressed that such differences in treatment created an impression that two separate rules were being applied depending on the community involved. He called on the government to clarify its reasoning and to be transparent about the enforcement process.
The issue intensified after residents, traders, and factory operators in Jinjang Selatan Tambahan, who had earlier been ordered by the court to move, were reassured that no demolitions would take place for the time being. Kepong Member of Parliament Lim Lip Eng revealed that the decision came following discussions between him and several government agencies.
Despite this temporary relief, traders in the affected area voiced frustration over the way the matter had been handled. A group of 38 traders complained about eviction notices issued by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL). They also expressed dissatisfaction with the compensation offered, which was reportedly set at around RM5,000, a figure they considered inadequate compared to the disruption to their livelihoods.
A local association representing residents and businesses echoed this disappointment, insisting that the compensation did not reflect the hardship faced by those forced to relocate. Many argued that their investments in the area, including years of business activity and community ties, could not be replaced by a token sum.
The contrasting developments in Kampung Sungai Baru and Jinjang Selatan Tambahan have now fueled public debate on the consistency of land enforcement policies. Dr Akmal maintained that unless the authorities provided a clear justification, perceptions of bias and double standards would persist, potentially eroding trust in the government’s handling of land disputes.
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