From:	"Parti Sosialis Malaysia PSM" <parti_sosialis@hotmail.com>
Subject:	JOY FOR MIDLANDS ESTATE WORKERS
Date:	Sun, 27 Aug 2000 12:58:01 MYT

JOY FOR MIDLANDS ESTATE WORKERS
AS HIGH COURT DISMISS DEVELOPERS CASE

Shah Alam, August 26, 2000

At the new Shah Alam High Court building, 70 families from Midland Estate
(near Klang) celebrated as the High Court Judge Dato Abu Samah dismissed the
developers attempt to evict the workers using Order 89 with cost.

Order 89 is a short-cut method used to evict people without going for a full
trial. The Judgement which was delivered at 11.30am. dismissed the claim by
the plaintiff (developers) because the plaintiff had made promises of
providing houses to these workers before . The Judge cited Section 13,14 and
15 of the High Court Rules for his decision.

The decision today came after ten years of court battle. In 1991, the estate
owners then Guthrie took the workers to court because the workers refuse to
vacate their homes upon the sale of the estate. In 1996, the current owner -
Sumurwang continued with the suit.
The workers of midlands have requested alternative homes and compensation as
conditions. The owners were reluctant and proceeded to summarily evict them.

With the defeat, the plaintiff has now requested the court for a full trial.
The Judge have told them to file the case by the 31st. Of October and fixed
3rd. November for the mention.

The workers were represented by three lawyers- Sdr. Teng Chang Khim - DAP
Youth Chief, G.S.Maniam and Meena from CAP. Kumarvel, Secretary of J/K
Bertindak Ladang Midlands who represent part of the workers welcomed the
court ruling. He said, they would continue to fight on and see who gives up
first- the workers or the landowner. Kumarvel is also the Labour Bureau
Chief of PSM Subang.

Today's decision was seen as a relief and will further strengthen the
workers demand for housing.