SHAH ALAM, 26 June: The story about the spirit of residents of Kampung Chubadak in defending their village from being evicted by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) during the middle of this month did not only gain sympathy from the people of this country.
In fact, the black event has also inspired efforts to object the building of a cement factory by residents of a village in the mountains of North Kendeng, Central Java, Indonesia.
A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Gerakan Rakyat Menggugat (Nark People’s Movement) or GERAM, has made the spirit of Wahida Mat Salleh, 73, or better known as Makcik Wahida, in defending her home from being demolished by DBKL as a morale booster.
Among other things, they used pictures of Makcik (aunt) Wahida on banners and buntings during the demonstration in front of the government building on June 19.
With the title ‘Save the Mountains of Kendeng’, they urged all the people to gather to express solidarity in driving heavy machinery from continuously carving out the mountainous area.
They claimed that the government’s action, which is in violation of the Environment Act, will change the natural ecology of the mountainous area, especially Kampung Rembang.
The demonstration managed to attract hundreds of residents who do not agree with the move of abandoning the interests of the residents.
The picture used is where Makcik Wahida was holding back a back hoe from demolishing her home.
Prior to this, Makcik Wahida reportedly had to stay up guarding her home with her husband for fear that their home will be demolished suddenly.
She explained that she is not against development, but the government should be fair and to provide appropriate compensation instead of taking advantage.
NS
