JUDGMENTBY: RAJA AZLAN SHAH CJ (MALAYA)

(delivering the judgment of the Court): In 1950 the appellants, numbering 377, came to Teluk Anson (now Teluk Intan) from Kedah, North Perak and Selangor and opened up a large part of a jungle area in the Mukim of Bandar, Teluk Anson. They were squatters. They now occupy an area of what is known as Kawasan Block D in a scheme known as Rancangan Seberang Perak Padi Cultivation Scheme, Kampong Gajah, in the District of Perak Tengah. Between 1950 and 1970 more and more settlers came and settled in the area. The matter became intolerable. So the State Government put up a plan to organise the settlement of these squatters. It divided the area into four blocks. Blocks A and B were allotted to the local settlers -- settlers from the State itself. Block C is given to FELCRA (Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority). Only ex-servicemen and youths were eligible. There were already 360 settlers who had occupied the land in Block C. They were re-settled in another area -- part of Block D where the appellants were already in occupation. Naturally the appellants were not happy with the new situation.

It is alleged that as a result of a