More details of the compensation package have emerged, which supersedes my earlier post on the subject.
Here is the summary of the package gleaned from a copy of a letter obtained from one of the villagers. The two-page letter dated 4 August bears the signature of a director of Nusmetro (name not given):
- Two-storey terrace houses to be erected on plots measuring 20 feet by 60 feet each. The built-up area of each will be roughly 1,400 square feet.
- The villagers have to withdraw all legal action.
- The terms will be subject to a relocation agreement to be signed between the developer and the villagers.
- If relevant approvals are not obtained from the authorities, the compensation agreement will be deemed to be cancelled.
- No mention in the letter of any compensation for monthly rentals incurred by the villagers while waiting for the houses to be ready.
- No specs provided for the material to be used in building the houses.
- No info on the completion date of the houses; nor any information on what recourse the villagers will have if the houses do not materialise or are delayed.
- If the villagers fail to leave by noon on Friday, 7 August, Nusmetro states it and the Koperasi have the right to execute their writ of possession.
How the Kg Buah Pala controversy is resolved is going to be crucial: one elected rep in Selangor told me there are a couple of similar cases in that state which could prove to be just as difficult.
The issue is not one of race. The villagers can be of any ethnic group: today it may be Indian Malaysian villagers; tomorrow it could be Malay or Chinese villagers who find themselves in the same predicament.
The issue is how to ensure justice and a fair deal for the low to middle income groups who stand to lose their family homes – through no fault of their own – when corporate predators move in. So please don’t play up the racial angle. The world would be a much kinder and gentler place if we view it through the lens of compassion for our fellow human beings.
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To our bros and siss in KBP. From info above, plot of land is 20′X 60′ and total built-up is approx.1400 sq.ft (double storey ie 700 sq.ft both floors)
In my opinion, your offered house will have a 20′front, 35′ body and 5′backyard. ( L 60′X W 20′)
Ask for detail specification of design ie how many rooms, bathrooms and types of materials use in the internal of house. Also, types of windows, grilles, no.of power points etc.
This is to prevent future renovation needs if things are not up to expectations.(Reno is not cheap now.)
Then figure out how much such a house in Penang cost now and see if it’s worth it.
All the above only if all of you are agreeable to the offer.
After seeing photos of the houses in KBP and the open spaces and greenery only reminds me of my younger days staying in kampung myself, I really miss those beautiful days as compared to now, concrete jungle!
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Dear Anil
The sharks are not just corporate predators. These are corporate predators plus corrupt political party and politicians, and corrupt (un)civil servants.
May lightning strike them.
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These houses are just pigeon holes compared to what the residents have.
Come Friday we will have all the houses destroyed and the residents would have withdrawn all their suits. LGE and his pack of goons would be washing their hands off gleefully.
Once the houses are destroyed, the residents have lost all their leverage. The developer can drag the project for years and deliver poor quality houses. The residents will have no choice. They will lose their freedom, their heritage and culture as they have lost 90% of their original land. The developer can make life miserabe to the residents.
LGE will tell the residents that he can do nothing as the land now officially belong to the developer and that stopping the project would punish the house buyers (wjho are likely to be rich and politically connected folks).
I guess this is the true face of LGE’s Malaysian Malaysia…where the rich and economically well to do people are more Malaysians than the poor and marginalised people.
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Just look at the contract between the Tai Chi style management of Penang by LGE in case of KBP versus the humane way Zambry handles the same issue in Perak. This is an example of a govt that has people’s interest and welfare in heart. Though I dispute the legality of Zambry’s govt, the way he handles the issue is praiseworthy.
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KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 5 (Bernama) — The Perak State Executive Council (Exco) which met here Wednesday has decided to give automatic ownership to squatters of state land for ten years.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir said with the decision effective immediately, the Perakians would only only need to pay quit rent.
“The decision was made as there are people who had stayed in one area for 80 years but the land still has TOL status,” he told reporters after the State Exco meeting here today.
Zambry said the state government would improve the land management system to make the people feel comfortable when dealing with the land office.
“We will introduce Key Performance Indicators (KPI) on land offices in Perak,” he said.
The menteri besar said his main agenda at land committee and district committee meetings was to achieve zero squatters.
The state government had identified several squatter areas which had become kampungs for the purpose. — BERNAMA
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aiyaa, give & take laa, pls !!
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I feel Anil is sick, you have the right to express your own opinion, but do not stop others from expressing their views either it’s racial or not.
You have habit to delete “Indian” wording from my comments.
Hindraf will not intervene if Kampung Buah Pala is a Chinese village. This is political reality in Malaysia now.
I edit unnecessary references to race to steer the discussion away from assuming racial overtones. – Anil
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Anil, If you don’t mind, can I share a gist of the press statement by Prof Ramasamy at ard 1pm and the press statement by Tamaraj at 3 pm on 5 Aug 2009.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq-PAF-Uv78
I said a gist because I need to compress their long statement into less than 10 mins (Youtube max time)
I feel sad there isn’t any positive signs as at now and looking at the villagers, I can only cry for them. And pray for the hardened hearts to have human compassion.
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K, i notice that you are very pro BN and anti LGE. The first thing that Zamry did when he overthew the legitimate Perak gov is to give land title to kampungs. He then stalled the land title to the chinese village, no news till now with similar condition as the ‘squatters’ .
“automatic ownership to state land of 10 years?” What is that? He is just buying popularity my friend. then these ‘squatters’ would vote BN next election. Hurrah!
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When you censor, all appeal and respect is lost. I thought this was a good place for unbiased news and frank discussions no matter how ugly it may be. If i wanted big brother, i would have sticked with the msm.
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Anil, you deleted 2 of my previous posts in an earlier article. I merely used “these poor Indian residents are being manipulated by…..” and you chose to delete it. I find that you are very biased in the case of Kg Buah Pala…
I wouldn’t delete a post if it said just that. Sorry there are too many posts here to remember who said what. – Anil
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The KBP residents are at a crossroads now and I do not envy them their predicament and that decision-making right now.
All I know is that if that were me in their shoes, and someone was trying to force me (very possibly illegally) out of my (comfort-zoned) home in that pretty, leafy, green and cool place that I loved and was worse, arm-twisting me to accept a lower grade version of that lifestyle in a modern soul-less concrete shack on a take-it-or-leave-it offer that they wanted me to rush into in maybe two days or less, without sufficient time to reasonably consider and check out all the nitty gritties of that wary offer, then I think I would perhaps opt to say effit, and stick my two fingers at them in some appropriate direction for such unacceptable vile manners and bad faith.
But, hey, that’s just me hypothesising here again without any locus standi whatsoever on that key decision so in all seriousness now, I wish the KBP residents all the best of the world’s wisdom in their final decision-makings.
“Imagine Power To The People” John Lennon.
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LGE is clearly on the side of the developer.
At first he said the DO will be revoked but to date no written directive to the MPPP.
He then said he will invoke S116 to stop demolition but nothing happened.
Regarding the restrictive endorsements on the land title he mumbled something about the State Legal Advisor not being in favour of pursuing that.
He claimed alleged fraud on the part of the previous govt but did nothing to investigate. Why wasnt a select committee set up to probe?
But all the while he has been subtly intimidating the villagers into agreeing to some sort of compensation.
The state govt just wants the villagers to go away so that the developer can proceed.
Why is the DAP afraid of the developer?
The DAP should come clean and tell us if they have received political donations from the housing developer industry…
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K seems to be a BN sympathizer who is out to discredit the PR govt by making use of the villagers’ plight for his political agenda.
Those double storey houses are not pigeon holes. Many middle class families in Penang would be glad to have one. They are even better than medium cost apartments. Have you heard of low cost apartments?
Comparing LGE and Zambry’s handling of different issues is like comparing (apples) and (oranges). Zambry has the power to grant TOL of state land, LGE has no power over private land.
It’s sad that there are people like K and the Hindraf brothers who are out to make political capital of the villagers’ misery rather than helping them. No solution will satisfy them as they are out to discredit PR and promote BN.
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Honestly, i dont know the right thing here for the villagers…
Whatever, my heart is with the villagers…
The Developer is also not sincere in their letter of offer, they have to state everything out crystal clear, like compensation of rental (per month) till house is completed, the layout plan of the house, etc, etc to prove sincerity on the part of the developer and not disputes later which the losing end will be the villagers as it is always the case…
Maybe we only have ourselves to blame because we had been faithfully and happily voting for BN to rule over us. 18 long years ya in Penang and finally wake up to this nightmare – they have sold our land…
Folks, it is a BIG lesson here for us to learn, get the Devil out entirely in the next GE.
Blame Gerakan, blame Koh Tsu Koon, Teng Hock Nan, and that… MIC and Mr Samy and the rest by all means.
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and what of the animals? I mean the four legged ones, not the others.
K you are so right about how a promise can turn into a nightmare – ask the guys in Tanjong Tokong and many other places.
For those who think these guys are trapped in a backwards time warp – wrong – these guys are way ahead of most of us – they recognise the value of community, of living harmoniuously with the land, of sharing with neighbours they have known all your life and the joy of a simple life without the clutterr of unecessary material possesions. Just as Yasmin Ahmad showed us. We should take a leaf our of their nobel book.
What is wrong with this so called civilisation? why can’t we respect each other rather than worship, ney idolise money, image, status. Shame on those who do.
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The villagers should even consider accepting the offer until the controversial acquisition of their land is clarified by the court. If the acquisition is illegal, the land is still theirs.
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K, a land of 20′x60′ with a double storey house thrown in cost at least RM250,000.00 now in Shah Alam. In Penang, a land scarce island, the price should be at least RM350,000.00. What do you expect? A bungalow of 30′ x 80′ size?
Come clear, no matter how much is offered, you guys will still not be satisfied. In Selangor, any similar cases are only offered a low cost flat of about 750sq ft only costing RM45,000.00. Most of these areas were also inhabitated for at least 100 years.
Please hold the whole of Penang to ransom with your outrageous demands as land is very limited in Penang and automatically the price is high.
You should question KTK and BN for their part which alienated this land to present owner. Dare you guys go after them? KTK is hiding in Putrajaya under the guise of Unity & KPI Minister enjoy all the perks and fat salary poaid out of our very own pockets. If you guys are not pointing your anger at him and his BN state govt then, I can say you guys are only being used by certain parties to bully LGE and PR. Cant you guys see sunsible thingsand not to be blindly lead by these people who are out to score their own political points?
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Guys, have everyone forgotten that there were few cowherd families there. What would they do after they move out on friday? Where would they keep all the cows till they move in back to their double-storey house in 2 years time?
Has this been answered or am I just plain ignorant?
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The crux of the issue is that this is a land dispute where residents are faced with the real prospect of losing the roofs over their heads.
Where is the “200 years of traditional Hindu Tamil living cultural and heritage village” that all the Hindraf, NGOs, MIC and villagers been talking about? The villagers themselves should never even hint that it is a racial, religious or cultural issue as it will not do them any good. I am appalled and embarrassed that they even went all the way to UNESCO in Paris in a bid to save their village.
Various parties appeared to have played up the emotions of the public at large all these weeks for their own reasons. It is unfortunate that it has to a certain extent turned into a racial issue when it is not and never has been. All the villagers want is a secure and permanent home for each family.
The proposal put forward by the developer does not talk about extra land for the villagers’ livestock for their livelihood or amenities for them to continue on with their lives and maybe for their heritage and culture. Just a house for each family. Surely matchbox houses on minimum land space would make living conditions difficult for the residents. These issues should be looked into and provided for. I think the proposals need more work.
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first, we want a government that uphold CAT philosophy, respect the law and etc.
second, we want a state government that is sensitive towards rakyat needs.
…
in my opinion, Penang state government collective decision with regards to Kampung Buah Pala incident truly show that they walk the talk. LGE’s action most probably has set a ‘dangerous’ precedent of allowing illegal settler (by Federal court decision) to follow suit the same approach in the future, however this comes from his sense of sensitive to rakyat needs, his desire to help the villagers in Kampung Buah Pala.
…
I undoubtedly would not want to be LGE position, he has to deal with so much pressures from Koperasi folks (has UMNO backing), villagers (Hindraf, MIC backing for own political mileage), developer (UMNO backing again), the house buyers, and not to forget the entire Penang rakyat.
Anil, I am interested to know what would you do, if you were LGE?
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MR K,
You can always vote for BN in the next GE. It is not far off.
Get Koh Tsu Koon back and let us see what is in store for the poor and powerless.
Yes, Koh can do a ‘better’ job.
Maybe Mr. K can advise LGE how to re-acquire the land at cost. Karpal Singh and sons will be out of job if you can successfully get the land back legally
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The double story link house could be a euphemism for a cluster house.
Anyway, a 20′x60′ enclosure with 1400 sq feet of build up area is easily worth RM400,000 in Penang at regular prices even for a cluster house. (A 1400 sq. feet built-up regular link house in Penang would fetch in excess of RM600k).
Staying in a new building with ownership to the land certainly beats staying in a dilapidated dwelling on a piece of land you don’t own.
Get the state government to open up the tsunami quarters for you to put up temporarily pending completion of those houses by the developer.
Also get the developer to commit on certain minimum requirements for their offer. eg. brick building structure with tiled or zinc roofings. Number of rooms, internal ceiling and power points. Number of toilets and flooring materials.
Then be wise and take up the offer folks.
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Whats the Hindraf going to do for the Pandamaran folks???? Its only for their gains and nothing else.
Call themselves Malaysians but always refering Indians fight fight for this and that. They never learn.
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Ok, besides the house what about the RM200K or so. Another note show that the land being valued at RM550/sq ft. Something wrong there. I wonder if that is the price in the Golden Traingle. KL? Suspect the price should not be more than RM150/sq ft. even in Pangkor Road area, I see prices at RM150/sq ft. So how did Nusmetro/Gerakan come up with Rm150 Million?
BTW, KTK please don’t show your face again in Penang in the next elections… You created all this mess, and cooly blame LGE. Nice to see you hiding in Putrajaya
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K, you have shown to be one sided in your arguments. Look at things both sides.
PR Govt (not BN)of Perak gave titles for new villages irrespective of race.
In Selangor, we have Bn’s ZERO Squatters by the toyo and lots of people staying for years in areas are then considered squatters and their homes just bulldozed to the ground and they were only offered low cost houses which they must pay thru their teeth.
Here you guys are given free 20′x60′ double storey houses and yet you still want more…consider you people very very lucky. What did you say Lilian? We in other states were only offered a small pigeon holes but still have to pay for it and compared with Buah Pala, I wish we had such choices then.
Take it and leave and DONT blame the LGE Govt as KTK govt brought such miseries to you guys. REMEMBER that as thats the FACT!!!
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