I visited Kampung Papan on November 30 — a day after the Sabah state election, and two weeks after the forced eviction of 29 settler families; and the arrest of 23 activist and settlers. The mood among residents was surprisingly cheerful. Not because they were glad to see me, but because they were uncharacteristically celebrating the defeat of DAP in Sabah.
Kampung Papan has long been a hardcore DAP stronghold in Pandamaran, where the party, its ADUN, and its MPs have won every election in recent times hands down. Now, looking back, I can’t help but think: if only the Sabah election had been held before the eviction between November 10–14 — DAP’s top leaders and members would surely have descended in droves to defend this majority-Chinese village. I am convinced figures like Anthony Loke and Gobind Singh would have pressured the Selangor Menteri Besar to stop the forced eviction from happening at all.
It seems they tried, but there seems to be lack of enthusiasm and effort. The political will, the urgency to halt this blatant human rights violation was simply not there.
In the days leading up to the eviction, I repeatedly warned a few DAP leaders that failing to help the Kampung Papan residents would damage Pakatan Harapan’s standing in Selangor. Already, in the last state election, PH lost its two-thirds majority. Nationwide, Indian support for the ruling coalition has been lukewarm, while Chinese voters have remained loyal but that loyalty cannot be taken for granted.
A troubling trend emerged in the weeks before the bulldozers moved in. First, local DAP representatives blamed MCA for everything. Then, they started pointing fingers at former DAP ADUNs and MPs: Ronnie, Charles, Eddy Tan, Tony Leong, Ganabatirau. No one was spared. When we reminded them that this was happening under a PH-led State government, the narrative shifted again, this time toward blaming PKR Malay leadership. Rumours circulated that the Menteri Besar and Housing Exco Borhan only cared if the affected areas was Malay-majority; since Kampung Papan is DAP territory, they supposedly had no interest. There was even talk that the current MB, not seeking another term, lacked motivation to resolve the issue.
Watching all this bickering, one must ask: do they deserve another term?
On the ground, aside from the local ADUN, there was no serious involvement from DAP leaders to stop the forced eviction. No visible sympathy, no real empathy. It makes you wonder — if only it had been the post-Sabah-election version of DAP, maybe we would have finally seen the political will of the DAP to stand with the settlers.
S. Arutchelvan
Deputy Chairperson
Parti Sosialis Malaysia