About 70 former estate workers today filed a lawsuit against the Selangor state government for allegedly failing to help them get housing and land despite promising to do so earlier.

Represented by Charles Hector, the ex-workers from Ladang Bukit Tinggi, Ladang Bukit Jelutong Rasak and Ladang Sungai Rinching filed the suit at the Shah Alam High Court.

Speaking on behalf of the workers, social activist S Arutchelvan described the legal action as "historic".

"This is the first time the workers are taking the state government to court," he said when met at the courthouse.

Named in the suit were Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, state property registrar, state town and rural planning committee and the municipal councils of Shah Alam, Kajang and Klang.