By Iskandar Khoo Kuan Yiaw
The recent incident where an individual brandished a parang to stop DBKL from demolishing an illegal structure — reportedly occupied by a hawker who had been operating there for over 15 years — has reignited a long-standing concern in Kuala Lumpur: the recurring confrontations between city authorities and urban residents.
These residents — many of whom are Malaysians — deserve to be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect, regardless of their socio-economic status.
This is not an isolated case. We’ve seen similar confrontations before, such as the much-publicized “Abang Belon” incident, and many others that never made headlines but are just as significant.
What’s happening is more than just defiance of the law. It reflects growing tension between formal authority and those struggling to survive on the margins of our urban economy.
In most cases, these so-called “illegal structures” aren’t created out of criminal intent. They are born out of necessity — homes in squatter areas, roadside stalls run by small traders, or makeshift shelters built by migrant workers and the urban poor. When enforcement officers arrive to tear them down, they’re not just dismantling wood and zinc. They’re destroying someone’s livelihood, their only source of income, and in many cases, the stability of entire families.
No one should condone violence, and the use of weapons like a parang cannot be justified. But the question must be asked: what drives people to such extremes? Is it because they feel ignored, powerless — or left with no alternative?
We cannot treat these incidents as isolated. They are symptoms of deeper, systemic problems: urban poverty, over-reliance on the informal economy, a severe shortage of affordable housing, and — most critically — a breakdown in communication between authorities and the communities they serve.
The Role of Elected Representatives
In this, elected representatives must not remain silent. Assemblymen and local leaders should play an active role, especially when tensions rise in their own constituencies. It is disappointing to see some remain absent during such critical moments, allowing public anger and confusion to escalate. The burden of mediation and outreach should not fall solely on community leaders and NGOs.
A Better Way Forward
DBKL has demonstrated before that alternatives exist. In the dispute between Jakel and the Indian temple, for example, the council chose a more collaborative approach — offering leased land and brokering a solution that respected both legality and community needs.
If such a solution can be extended to corporate stakeholders, it must also be extended to micro-entrepreneurs, hawkers, and urban poor communities who are simply trying to survive.
What Can Be Done?
1. Transparent and Humane Enforcement
Demolitions should be a last resort — not the first response. Authorities like DBKL must engage with communities early, provide clear notices and timelines, and work with NGOs or community leaders to explore alternatives.
2. Inclusive Urban Policies
We need policies that reflect the realities on the ground. This includes formalizing certain informal businesses, offering relocation or licensing options, and significantly increasing investment in accessible, low-cost housing.
3. Reframing Public Perception
Too often, viral videos reduce these complex situations to simplified narratives — enforcement officers painted as villains, or desperate residents cast as violent. The truth is usually far more complicated. One side is trying to uphold regulations; the other is clinging to the only means of survival they have.
Conclusion
It’s time to rethink how we manage these clashes. Force alone will not bring lasting order. But meaningful dialogue, empathy, and smart, inclusive urban planning just might.
Iskandar Khoo Kuan Yiaw serves as the Chief of the Kepong Perikatan Nasional (PN) Liaison Body.
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