Minister promises probe into farmers' claim of City Hall's alleged racist remarks

the malay mail‧2011.01.13

PUTRAJAYA: An investigation will be carried out into a report of alleged misconduct by City Hall and Land Office staff during a demolition of illegal farming plots at the Sungai Besi Army Camp's reserve land on Tuesday.

Five farmers, representing about 95 others, lodged the report at the Seri Kembangan police station yesterday morning claiming the officers had hurled derogatory and racist remarks against them.

The report took Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin by surprise.

Pledging an investigation will be carried out, he said: "The farmers may have committed an offence but government officials have to conduct themselves with dignity as it reflects upon the administration."

He said action would be taken against the officers if they were found guilty. "In this case, it's simple. You treat people the way you want to be treated."

In the report, one of the farmers, who were accompanied by Selangor State exco member Ean Yong Hian Wah, claimed an officer, who wore a jacket and a hat with a City Hall uniform underneath, hurled derogatory and racist remarks when he enquired where they would take the seized items to.

Yap Keat Chong, 49, said he asked the officer to be more polite and was shocked when the officer responded with a racist remark.

Ean Yong said he went to the scene after he received a call. Noting the farmers had snapped pictures of the officers taking away three chickens and their crop produce, he asked: "How could they say something like that and take away the farmer’s livestock and farming produce?"

It was learnt the farmers had operated their business on reserve land, consisting of about 80 acres, belonging to the Defence Ministry for many years and were given notices before the demolition.

The farmers said they had requested the government to give them another piece of land so they could move out but their request was never entertained.