Down Again!

Cheras barricade goes down again - Malaysiakini
May 29, 08 10:45am

Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents have torn down the controversial wall built by toll operator Grand Saga which blocked access to the Cheras-Kajang Highway late last night.
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This was the third time that the five-foot wall, consisting of table-size boulders and erected across the two-lane toll-free slip road, was demolished.

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In a significant about-turn, Selangor police chief Khalid Abu Bakar was at the scene at about 7.30pm to give the jubilant residents the green light to remove the wall.

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The residents, with the help of tractors, eventually cleared the access road for motor vehicles to pass by 9.30pm.

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The police, who had earlier been accused of siding with toll operator, kept a close watch on the operation.

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Khalid had also warned Grand Saga not to rebuild the wall.

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On Tuesday, about a dozen residents were seriously injured at a fracas after Grand Saga re-erected the barricade. Residents have accused the toll operator of hiring ‘gangsters’ armed with sticks to stop them from tearing down the wall.

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According to Bernama, police have launched an investigation to identify the ‘thugs’ who had beaten the residents - one of whom were hospitalised with a broken hand, while another were given seven stitches after a blow on his head.

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A group of BMC residents are presently in Parliament asking for a meeting with Works Minister Mohd Zin Mohamed.

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Lims calls for inquiry Meanwhile DAP leader Lim Kit Siang condemned the violence which resulted in the injuries of several residents two nights ago.

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He also lambasted the presence of thugs to stop the residents from pulling down the barricade.

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He also criticised the police for not only their "hands-off" policy during the rampage by the thugs, but also in going on a rampage of their own in assaulting innocent bystander Chang Jiun Haur.

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"An independent public inquiry into the spate of physical violence against the protesting public by thugs and police personnel is fully warranted," he added.

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He said that DAP MP for Serdang Teo Nie Ching will be raising the issue in Parliament today.