Dr. Nasir Hashim, PSM National Chairperson and State Assemblyman for Kota Damansara declared that PSM will continue and always be on the side of the downtrodden, the workers and the lower income group in any issue which confronts the people.
He said while he supports "squatter free", it should not be done in the expense of the poor. The State must recognize that most urban settlers (Squatters) developed and created value for the land before it was encroached by the developer. Therefore it is only fair that these settlers be compensated and given alternative land or houses either by the developer or by the state. Most of the time the developer conspires with the state government and the local government to forcefully and brutally evict the people who have been in the land for years. It is important to look at housing and shelter as fundamental human rights rather than narrowly looking at the laws which only recognizes those with titles.
We call for all the notices against Urban Settlers by the previous State Government to be revoked and an amicable solution with consultation with the settlers' communities and activists working in the field be carried out. One immediate task for the State Government is to give directive to the Local Authority not to invoke the Emergency Ordinance, Clearance of Squatters Regulation 1969 which has been the biggest culprit in forcefully evicting the settlers.
I will raise these issues with the new State Government. We will continue to champion the rights of the Urban settlers. There will be no compromise on this.
Dr. Nasir Hashim