KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 — The house eviction operation in Kampung Sungai Baru, here, yesterday was carried out in accordance with the law and a court order, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa.

Dr Zaliha said that the decision was not made by the government alone, but was the result of a legal process that had been decided by the court and must be obeyed.

“This decision was not made on its own but through the court. When the court has issued an order, it must be implemented, and civil servants cannot be prevented from carrying out their duties.

“Those who disagreed have received compensation. If they are still not satisfied with the amount of compensation, the legal channel, which is the court, remains open,” she told reporters after the pre-launch of the Malaysia Sarong Music Run, here yesterday.

Dr Zaliha said the majority of residents in the area had agreed to the redevelopment project and had been waiting for more than eight years to see it implemented.

She said that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also emphasised the need for the issue to be resolved thoroughly by taking all parties into account, while she herself called on the people to remain calm and not cause disharmony.

“I deeply regret the incident that occurred this morning even though the government has worked closely with security forces, especially the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), but there were still unexpected provocations.

“I hope all parties take the issue of national peace seriously and do not take actions that can provoke and threaten harmony,” she said.

Yesterday, police and enforcement agencies carried out the house eviction operation in Kampung Sungai Baru following a court order.

However, the situation became tense when Dang Wangi District Police Chief ACP Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman was injured, believed to be hit by a stone thrown by an unidentified individual while controlling the situation. — Bernama