Site logo

5 Land Evictions That Shook Communities In the Past Decades

According to the latest data, in 2018, agricultural land accounted for 23.2% of Malaysia’s total land use. However, recent events indicate the possibility of a significant shift in this land allocation.

The farmers in Kanthan, Perak, are currently embroiled in a struggle to protect their livelihoods, facing off against the Perak State Land and Mines Office (PTG) as their farms are being bulldozed. This stands as the most recent chapter in an ongoing series of conflicts over land eviction between local Perak farmers and the Perak State Development Corporation (PKNP).

These evictions have deeply affected entire communities for decades. It’s imperative that we shine a brighter light on these ongoing tragedies and injustices.

#1: Perak Farmers vs the State Government

Over 130 small-scale farmers in Kanthan, whose families have been farming for about 80 years, now face an uncertain future as they find themselves getting evicted from their lands to make way for the Silver Valley Technology Park (SVTP)[1].

Liew Wong, 57 is among the farmers whose livelihoods were abruptly stripped away due to the recent eviction. One of the six Kanthan farmers served eviction notices by the PTG on October 13, 2023, Liew found himself in despair as the eviction process intensified on Tuesday. Witnessing heavy machinery employed by PTG officials to uproot farmers from their lands, he could only watch in anguish as his 1.012 hectares of oil palm trees were bulldozed[1].

Liew shared that his family has a longstanding connection to the land, spanning nearly 80 years of agricultural heritage. Despite consistent efforts to secure a lease from the state government dating back to 2011, the authorities have remained unresponsive. 

Khoo Choong Hing, another affected farmer, asserted that PTG officers wreaked havoc on his crops and irrigation system, resulting in an estimated RM300,000 in damages. Tending to the land for approximately two decades, Khoo is now pursuing compensation for the extensive losses incurred[1].

Attempts to protest these unlawful evictions turned violent. During a major stand-off on October 24th between farmers from the Perak Farmers’ Association (together with Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)) and local authorities in Kanthan, several protesters were treated with violence by PTG officers with one of their activists even sustaining injuries after being shoved to the ground by an officer[2].

An Ipoh PTG officer pushed PSM activist comrade Chong Yee Shan down until he broke his teeth and sustained injuries during the forced eviction by the Land and Mines Department on farmers in the Kantan area, Tambun Parliament. – Parti Sosialis Malaysia on X

Despite sustaining injuries, PSM activist Chong Yee Shan remained resolute in preventing the brutal forced eviction of the farmers[2].

This violent stand-off eventually ended with the arrest of four people, including three PSM members. Among those arrested on Tuesday was PSM chairman and former parliamentarian Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj, who has been at the forefront of the struggle against evictions. The other three detainees were Karthiges Manickam, Ho Pon Tien, and Kesavan Parvathy[3].

PSM chairman and former parliamentarian, Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj, was among the four arrested in a crackdown on farmers’ protest against forced evictions in Perak. Source: Peoples Dispatch

Unfortunately, this entire incident was a problem in the making.

Since 2021, Kanthan farmers have been told by the PKNP to vacate their lands, which covered over 1,000 acres of land that they have been toiling on for more than six decades[4].

Jeyakumar had long been critical of these decisions, citing that tearing down the farms would deal a huge blow to Malaysia’s food security as the land is the single largest vegetable-producing region in the state and could lead to more price increases at a time when vegetable prices are soaring[4].

It’s important that we have a supply of food produced in the country. But if we evict farmers, where will we get food from? – Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj,  PSM chairman[4]

Jeyakumar, who was Sungai Siput MP from 2013 to 2018, long suspected that the Perak state government planned to convert the farmland into residential or industrial districts.

If the government wants to collect rent, that’s not a problem. But to evict the farmers and change the land status (from agricultural) to residential and industrial, it’s not a smart idea. – Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj,  PSM chairman[4]

Although the farmers were not legal owners of the land, which their grandparents had first converted to farms, Jeyakumar said they were willing to pay rent. They had previously applied for a temporary occupation license but to no avail.

Pushing for existing vegetable farming areas in Perak to be gazetted as permanent food production areas, he also called for farmers cultivating such land to be given leases of 10 to 20 years with the condition that they must use the land to plant food crops[4].

#2: How Loopholes Leave Indigenous Sabahans Landless

A peaceful protest by the Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation with some 200 indigenous persons near the Sabah Land and Survey Office in March 2023. Source: The Vibes

Salina Lingutan, a member of the Murut indigenous group in Sabah, emotionally shared a distressing account of eviction. Tearfully recounting her experience, she claimed to have been subjected to rough treatment, receiving two slaps and being physically restrained. This traumatic incident unfolded over her family house, constructed on land lawfully granted to a private palm oil company in 2013.

Go ahead and kill us, I told them, this is our land. – Salina Lingutan 

Jhonny Ungkis, Salina Lingutan’s husband, echoed her account as he recounted the heartbreaking incident where their home was set on fire. He alleged that the individuals were hired by the company responsible for the eviction. 

On that fateful day, one of their children also lost their life. 

The authorities insisted that the land belonged to the company and that we must vacate. We were deeply in despair due to their action. – Jhonny Ungkis 

Salina and Johnny’s heart-wrenching story is one of the enduring struggles experienced by numerous indigenous individuals in Sabah – forced evictions, land disputes, and land grabs that have persisted for nearly half a century[5].

Captain Jerry Jaimeh, the coordinator of the Sabah chapter of the Malaysian Humanitarian Organisation (MHO), expressed concern that the land issues in Sabah can only get worse, highlighting that in 2023 alone,  MHO handled eight community cases and over 50 individual land disputes and eviction cases.

These cases typically revolve around the recurring themes of native customary rights land being granted to third parties, usually large companies, and the indigenous communities’ lack of knowledge about Sabah’s land laws, leaving them unable to defend their rights.

Forced evictions are also a common issue. – Captain Jerry Jaimeh, the coordinator of the Sabah chapter of the Malaysian Humanitarian Organisation (MHO)[5]

Ironically,  these evictions were legal despite the provisions in the state land law, the Sabah Land Ordinance (Cap. 68), designed to safeguard native customary rights (NCR).

These rights stipulate that any state land cultivated or developed within three years by indigenous communities is recognised as native customary rights, as articulated under Section 15(e) and Section 65 of the state ordinance.

However, indigenous land rights activist Galus Ahtoi alleged that these rights are often infringed due to the abuse of the land application process, although it may seem lawful on paper.

Even though Section 13 mandates the publication of notices for unalienated land and invites claimants to submit their complaints related to native customary rights for at least 30 days, such notices were alleged to not be published at all even hijacked.

Ahtoi explained that land enquiry is an important step in land disputes, as the indigenous communities are required to present all the evidence of their native customary rights claim.

If the land in question is indeed native land, the land office must reject the land application. But these inquiries could drag on for years, and decisions can become a real challenge, especially when officers are replaced or technical experts pass away while the sessions are still ongoing. – Galus Ahtoi, indigenous land rights activist[5]

Indigenous rights activist Galus Ahtoi has worked to empower the indigenous communities in Sabah on native customary rights issues. Source: The Vibes

Jannie Lasimbang, who served as the Sabah Suhakam commissioner at the time, attributed the complexities in Sabah’s land-related issues to communal grants introduced by the state government in 2010. While communal titles are based on native customary rights, they often lead to land schemes that ensnare indigenous communities into unfair agreements with private companies for the development of their lands through lucrative cash crop cultivation.

The communal title scheme was well-intentioned, but when it is converted into a land scheme with joint ventures, the community loses its say in crop choices and benefits. Even though the land still belongs to the villagers, they have no say as long as the joint venture remains in place. – Jannie Lasimbang, former Sabah Suhakam commissioner[5]

She further argued that recipients of the communal titles should have the freedom to exit these deals, pointing out that it can be exceedingly difficult.

It has been discovered that some communal titles include outsiders who have no connection to the land. When the number of outsiders outweighs the actual natives, collective decision-making on matters such as exiting failed ventures or making other land-related decisions becomes problematic. – Jannie Lasimbang, former Sabah Suhakam commissioner[5]

#3: Musang King Plantations vs. Orang Asli Territories

Mr Tam has lived in Bukit Telaga Village all his life, but he fears that he might be forced to move to make way for more durian plantations. Source: CNA

Raub is fast becoming the durian capital of Malaysia, with the famed Musang King earning farmers big bucks. Already in 2018, the value of durian shipments from Malaysia to China in the first eight months of that year hit RM7.4 million ringgit (S$2.5 million), more than double the value in the same period of 2017, according to the Agriculture Ministry in Kuala Lumpur[6]

Unfortunately, this came at the cost of the local Orang Asli communities who fear that the plantations are encroaching onto their land.

One Orang Asli villager, who only wanted to be known as Tam, remarked on how the clearing of forests for plantations is disrupting the peace of the surroundings and making it more difficult for them to find food.

It’s not peaceful here anymore. We don’t sleep well because we are scared the fruits and property we have will be stolen. – Tam[7]

Tam is one of many Orang Asli living in Bukit Telaga, which sits 500 meters upslope from rows of durian trees within fenced plantations.

It is unsettling for Mr Tam when he notes the increasing number of plantations in Fraser’s Hill in recent years – at least three durian farms in the vicinity. 

One day they will force us to move because these (plantation owners) want to make more money, I’m sure of it. We don’t want to move. We have lived here in the forest all our lives. – Tam[7]

The chief of Bukit Telaga Village, Tok Batin Ahsai, expressed similar concerns, stating that the territorial lines between his district and the plantations have blurred in recent months.

We don’t have any authority to chase people away; that (land belongs to) the government. But as long as we are allowed to live here, we will protect our land. – Tok Batin Ahsai, Bukit Telaga Village[7]

Sophine Tann, Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam Malaysia (PEKA) President, supports residents’ calls to preserve Fraser’s Hill forests. Having worked with indigenous communities, she warns that durian plantation owners are increasingly threatening Pahang’s Orang Asli.

The durian industry is all about cash right now. Plantation owners want to grow durians, so (when) they propose (expansion) to the state government and Pahang Forestry Department, they get approval quickly. This is the kind of attitude that will threaten the rights of the Orang Asli to live in their home. – Sophine Tann, president of the non-government organisation PEKA Malaysia[7]

#4: 100-year-old Buddhist Monastery in Perak Faces Eviction After Losing Court Battle

Monks and devotees in the Dhamma Sakyamuni Caves Monastery which is said to have occupied the cave in Gunung Kanthan, Perak, for more than 100 years. Source: FMT

Gunung Kanthan is one of the last 12 remaining limestone hills in the Kinta Valley National Geopark, Perak and home to several endangered species of flora and fauna such as the bent-toed geckos, snow-white orchids and snails.

Tragically, some 80% of the hill has already been cleared for quarries, with cement manufacturer Associated Pan Malaysia Cement (APMC) having already leased a 146.4-hectare plot of land from the state for quarrying. This lease was contested by the monks of the Dhamma Sakyamuni Caves Monastery as APMC threatened to evict the monks from the 100-year-old Buddhist monastery[8].

According to the monastery’s management, the company could only occupy a small portion of the land as the monastery’s monks have resided and occupied the area for more than 100 years. They also asked for the application to be dismissed as the company had suppressed material evidence in their application by not disclosing to the court the fact that the land was occupied by the monastery.

The case began in January last year when the company sought a High Court order in Ipoh for the eviction of all squatters from Lot No. 46497 in Hulu Kinta where Gunung Kanthan is located. Although the company’s application was dismissed in October last year by judicial commissioner Bhupindar Singh, who said that the monastery had demonstrated that they were not squatters and had a strong arguable defence to the eviction, this year APMC won their appeal to evict the monastery[8].

This appeal will inevitably threaten not only a historical landmark but a unique and fragile ecosystem.

#5: Klang Neighbourhood Under Threat From ECRL Project

A woman stands at the gate of her home in Taman Sungai Sireh in Klang, Selangor, which is at risk of demolition due to the East Coast Rail Link project. Source: Malaysia Now

Ramli Mohd Jadi has lived in Taman Sungai Sireh, Klang, Selangor, since the 1970s, when the area was still an informal settlement. He’d hoped that he would continue living in this neighbourhood until the end of his days. Sadly, this hope may become little more than a distant dream.

The construction of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) threatens to evict Ramli and other inhabitants of Taman Sungai Sireh from their homes. According to another resident, Azman Mohd Mahusin, they were only informed about the alignment passing through their residential area a year ago, even though the project had started as early as 2017.

The residents were not officially informed. There were some meetings that we organised ourselves with various relevant parties, but the government claimed that it was the one handling the engagement, despite us doing all the work. – Azman Mohd Mahusin, Taman Sungai Sireh resident[9]

According to Azman, they only obtained information from the internet, and it was understood that the neighbourhood (along with a plot of land with dozens of graves) was situated in Section C, involving the route from Mentakab to Port Klang.

According to Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari:

The project in that area is scheduled to begin in 2025. When we asked the residents, they seemed to not know about it because we had not issued any notice, meaning that the demolition would not be carried out in the near future.

What is being done now is an assessment for consideration (by the developer). After that, the state government needs to obtain the actual alignment of the project.[9]

This response did not sit well with Taman Sungai Sireh’s residents, with Shapawi Hashim, the Taman Sungai Sireh action committee chairman saying that the residents were anxious because the explanations given by the state government were inadequate.

An elderly resident known as Cik Umi is one of those residents who expressed disappointment in the state government’s handling of the issue. She also questioned the compensation that the Selangor state government would provide if their houses were indeed demolished.

It’s not easy for us to own a house. How can they just tell us that our houses will be demolished? We’re not wealthy people who can afford lawyers. – Cik Umi, Taman Sungai Sireh resident[9]

As you can see, these forced land evictions have long threatened the livelihoods of both rural Malaysians and indigenous communities. Adding to the problem, these communities often lack proper land rights, which enables governmental bodies to classify their forced evictions as “legal”. And if they protest, the communities may risk getting arrested or worse.

This is a problem that has been going on for too long, and we need to be more aware of the atrocities being committed underneath our noses.

Explore our sources:

  1. L. Shuyi. (2023). Perak farmers face uncertainty as land evictions pave way for technology park. Thaiger. Link.
  2. Renushara. (2023). Activists & Farmers Treated Violently by Perak Govt Officers for Preventing Forced Eviction of Farmland. World of Buzz. Link.
  3. Anish R.M. (2023). Malaysian socialists arrested during protest against forced eviction of farmers. Peoples Dispatch. Link.
  4. J. Thomas. (2021). Farmers in Perak’s largest vegetable-producing area ‘told to go’. FMT. Link.
  5. J. Santos. (2023). Are loopholes in land laws leaving indigenous Sabahans to lose ancestral lands? The Vibes. Link.
  6. The Straits Times. (2019). Chinese hunger for durians blamed for deforestation in Malaysia. Link.
  7. A. Yusof. (2019). Orang Asli land under threat in Pahang as Musang King plantations grow. Channel News Asia. Link.
  8. Free Malaysia Today. (2023). Cement company wins appeal to evict century-old Perak monastery. Link.
  9. A.M. Zulkifli. (2023). In Klang neighbourhood, residents fear eviction as ECRL project inches closer. Malaysia Now. Link.

Stories You May Also Like:

BURSA TOP 20: Who’s The most charitable?