Respond to the recent eviction in Malaysia by faxing appeal letters to the relevant agencies to halt evictions immediately. Circulate this story to media contacts or other interested parties.

In solidarity,
Joanna de Rozario
Co-ordinator
Urban Resource Unit

SAMPLE LETTER

November 9, 1997

Dear Sir,

Re: Stop Forced Evictions in Malaysia

It has come to our attention that a number of 68 houses in Kampung Sungai Rumput, Bandar Utama, Damasara Utama,Petaling Jaya have been forcefully evicted on October 26 and 27, 1998 despite receiving a letter to stop evictions from the your department dated October 27, 1998. Presently, these families have no alternative accomodation and are living in tents built on the site of their demolished homes. These tents are also under threat of being demolished.

You may kindly be reminded that the world community at the United Nations HABITAT II Conference in Istanbul in 1996 recognized the right to adequate housing as an internationally acknowledged human right, and to that effect the governments, including your Government, unanimously signed the Istanbul Declaration and the Habitat Agenda. An important commitment made by the Government was to "integrate land and shelter policies with policies for reducing poverty and creating jobs..... and for empowering those belonging to disadvantaged groups particularly people without shelter".

We urge you to instruct the local authorities to stop the forced evictions and initiate a dialogue with the affected people and provide necessary alternative housing for them, in conformity with the spirit of the Habitat Agenda.

Your consideration would be much appreciated.

With kindest regards,
(Name, Designation Organisation)

CC: Chief Minister of Selangor (Fax No: 6-03-5509686)
Minister. Ministry of Housing and Local Government(Fax:603-2540781)