The Kg Buah Pala villagers have been portrayed as greedy, demanding, and unreasonable. This is partly due to the mixed signals coming from the committee, the seemingly conflicting statements and misrepresentations of those speaking on their behalf including those with vested interests and even those in the state government.
Guan Eng even claimed – incorrectly as it turned out – the villagers want RM3.5 million bungalows or compensation. Where did he get that from? But the damage is already done as it is all over the media.
As a result of such statements in the media by those intent on portraying the villagers as greedy – and the village committee’s own public relations blunders along with outsiders taking advantage – public opinion may have swayed against the villagers.
I have been to the village a few times, and I have never heard of a demand for RM3.5 million bungalows or any similar demand.
I did see the RM3.5 million figure mentioned once, in one of the handouts given. But look at the context: that was when the residents were reacting to accusations that they were greedy. They retorted that the real greedy parties were those who were coveting their respective property lots, some of which they claimed could be worth an average of RM3.5 million. That’s quite different from purportedly asking for compensation of RM3.5 million or demanding a RM3.5 million bungalow.
I contacted Sugumaran, the residents’ committee chairperson, for comment and he said the claim that the villagers wanted RM3.5 million bungalows is baseless. “They are just using that figure to turn public opinion against the villagers and to portray us as unreasonable,” he lamented.
Few have actually walked in their shoes and lived in the village to experience what life is like for them. It’s a different life-style closer to nature than what most city folk can understand – and I don’t claim to fully understand it either. Only the villagers know their real situation and what they really need to continue living in dignity, if and when they are wrenched apart not only from their homes but their land, their livelihoods and their community.
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The developer, Nusmetro, is not the land-owner. The Koperasi is. – Anil
I think it doesn’t make much different, they are the same gang.
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“It was never the intention of the residents to ask for double-story houses or luxury condos.”
You talk like the Resident are the one who win the case, KBP resident lose the case..ok?? Thus, this is not up to you to choose.
Look for other land? Why should the LANDLORD take such a risk? Why Should other citizen of penang give KBP a free land to stay while other need to pay their own houses and pay tax to state government?
Giving other State land in exchange is simply asking for other penang people to pay the bill for the 24 family which i think is too much.
Why should i pay installment everymonth to get a small apartment/condo while some buddy get “compensation” of a double story house and yet asking for this and that? I think I better look for an empty state land and make a big house there and wait for “compensation”.
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Why LGE and developer never pay compensation to me? This speak volume for who are the rightful owners for the land.
If KBP residents have to accept whatever compensation or no compesantion at all, this does not make injustice to justice with such blatant abuse of power in the executive (LGE and KTK) and jurisdictive (Federal Court) institutions.
Federal Court still got one final chance to restore justice on 18th.
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Mr.Khoo,
Right on. Good question. This is why they get the compensation because the CM threaten to revoke the development and some symphaty from the peoples in-directly force them into compensation. The compensation is out of sympathy to the villager. They are not rightful to anything.
They can just come in and demolish everything and not even talking to you. You see. It is their right.
nkkhoo.. bear in mind land owner is “Koperasi” which part of these you do not understand? Stop making yourself to believe the villagers is the rightful owner. if so then your house is not yours, it belong to the asli. This is a modern world. This is how things work. My god! What is wrong with you?
That is a half a million terrace. What else do they want?
Go to court? Peoples like you will be the one making the villagers end up with nothing. Will you do anything “walk” if they end up getting zero?
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No Anil,
You are wrong! Not when the State government has an upper hand in freezing future development on the land. The developer would still earn profit while the state government satisfying the basic tenet of all Penangites. Shelter for all Penangites.
Why are you so protective of 300 KBP families? I tell you at this juncture, most Penangites would have agreed with me. Those who are really poor without any land to squat.
Anil,
THE SHIP IS MORE THAN A CREW! I SAY LETS BUILD PUBLIC HOSUING ON KBP
By the way, read up on the Kowloon Walled City. Would you still agree of keeping the settlement? I bet heritage is far greater than KBP. But ramshackle buildings in 6 acres of land filled with 35K inhabitants
Your idea of “socialism”.
People,
We got to draw a line somewhere. Otherwise, it would go & on. No conclusion. Just like Kowloon Walled City. 35K inhabitants living in 6 acres. Dilapidated buildings. No rule of Law. while Triads running wild.
Lets pray that such settlement not near your area.
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some comments by K and eagle-eye reflect their mentality. if ktk had good reason for delaying the transfer of the said land while in power, why he’s so quiet now? he could just come out and declare it is really so and his innocence…. but these things were cooked up much later (like now)as plausible reasons.
also why people cannot see that even when last premium were paid days after 8 march, they were paid to a pegawai kerajaan – an interested party. do people expect lge to personally receive the payment? ok if u argue that what pegawai received is like lge received, because they are part of kerajaan, then what can lge do? sack him? even in corporate world you dont do this. you admonish him, give him warning letter, and to keep his allegience protect him. and to think that what if lge handled this bias against koperasi, the whole members of civil servants resign enbloc. a govt melt down?
so please dont talk about lge’s fault in this fiasco. his only crime is he inherited not only the mess but the whole civil depts with vested interest. his crime is he cannot fulfill the pledges of his fellow aduns who pledge abt “over my dead body”. his crime is he tried to help the villagers too much.
why do i think the villagers are demanding? they demand to see the cm. it’s their right alright, but to send personal assistant to receive memo isnt good enuff? the king personally receive the memorandum? the foreign ambassador personally receive memo? and the way i see their rep speaks on tv. yes equally arrogant is the way lge speaks, but kbp villagers speak from a weakened position.
i would think that given their predicament they should benefit more to get state govt on their side than to be against. if you have developer on the other side, the bn and cronies the other side, the cooperatives def the other side, and you “attack” the state govt, you believe the ngo, the sympatisers will help you win case?
the gesture by developer, and land owner koperasi to give up 0.7 acre of land is magnanimous already. in event the kbp villagers want to play delaying tactic so that the can see if they can benefit from the court case they bring against developer.
i want to put pressure on lge now ~ if lge gives in to kbp, he may gain the votes of members of the 24 families. he will definitely lose mine (only one though) and probably a handful of the 60+% of this blog respondents. he most likely wont gain the votes of k and eagle eye, who i believe are still too young to register to vote -even in pru13.
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philiplim,your condescending remark just prove my point on people like you.you talk about mentality of the others bloggers .my advice to you is get a mirror.this country is going down the drain faster with people like you.
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Questions to Mr. Guan Eng that can answer many questions!
Check it out from
http://cj.my/seelan/
Amount that the present Penang state gets out of the land deal = RM3.2 million
Houses for residence = RM500,000 x 24 = RM12 million
What a WOW!
Penangites…Penangites…Penangites…you guys can’t be that dumb…ask Mr. Guan Eng…what is happening? RM12 million for a few village folks and only RM3.2 million for the rest of you (I mean if the money is to be used for the state’s development?)…apa ni?
Hmmm…just wondering how much would the developer make then out of the project…
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Questions to Mr. Guan Eng that can answer many questions!
Check it out from
http://cj.my/seelan/
Amount that the present Penang state gets out of the land deal = RM3.2 million
Houses for the KBP villagers = RM500,000 x 24 = RM12 million
What a WOW!
Penangites…Penangites…Penangites…you guys can’t be that dumb…ask Mr. Guan Eng…what is happening? RM12 million for a few village folks and only RM3.2 million for the rest of you (I mean if the money is to be used for the state’s development?)…apa ni?
Hmmm…just wondering how much would the developer make then out of the project…
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nkkhoo.. bear in mind land owner is “Koperasi” which part of these you do not understand? Stop making yourself to believe the villagers is the rightful owner. if so then your house is not yours, it belong to the asli. This is a modern world. This is how things work. My god! What is wrong with you?
===
You are talking rule by law. No wonder, this country is downgrading… with people like you believe the rule by law can legalize land transfer to Koperasi.
With this trend continues, BN and PR governments can sell any land not belonging to them.
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http://cj.my/seelan/
Amount that the present Penang state gets out of the land deal = RM3.2 million
Houses for KBP villagers = RM500,000 x 24 = RM12 million
What a WOW!
Penangites…Penangites…Penangites…ask Mr. Guan Eng…what is happening? RM12 million for a few village folks and only RM3.2 million for the State and the rest of you (that is if the money is to be used for the state’s development?)…apa ni?…
Maybe he should just cancel off the land deal and think of a way to develop the land in some other ways…I don’t know…a way that will make the State get more money…
OH!…I have a better idea…chase the villagers out, ask the developers to build the 24 houses since they were willing to build them anyway. Now, take the houses and sell them for RM500,000 each…you see! You get a whole sum of RM3.2+12 million! That is hell of a better deal for the State!
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The political eunuch Koh Tsu Koon who presided over this land grab, is still keeping mum on the entire saga, refusing to provide any public accountability whatsoever.
His goons, meanwhile, are descending on this blog trying to portray the present state government as the villian in this plot, equating LGE with KTK.
Gerakan – you are a disgrace. Shame on you.
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Another rule by law example is a Thai citizen lost her multimillion bungalow in Penang Island after someone cohorted with Jabatan Tanah to issue new grant to a new owner unlawfully. Then new owner sold the property to a developer.
The fedaral court awarded land to developer by saying the grand is genuine regardless the original owner was a victim in the land scam.
This may explain why many foreign investors are not coming to Malaysia after learning this Bolehland is ruled by law. KBP incidence is just one of many rule by law cases.
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• eagle-eye
August 10th, 2009 at 4.16pm
crash,
My source is this posting by Anil. (You seem to be commenting without even reading the article!)
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Mr Eagle eyes, so if posted by Anil it got to be the truth? What does reading the article have anything to do with the truth? How old are you btw?
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No, the developer is not a victim. They knew what they were getting into. They probably knew about the controversy. They (allegedly) sold houses even before the land title was transfered, that is not right. The landowner/developer are the greedy ones, not the villagers.
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Look, when I say victims. As in term of look thru the eyes of all parties here. Not everything sees from the way you sees it. Ex: you bought a house and you can’t move in and renovate = victim in general.
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The villagers are not well educated, they would be the ones who would need a lawyer the most. If discussions are above board there is nothing to fear about manipulations.
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You are seeking CM help, if you don’t trust me, how am I suppose to help you? if CM want to manipulate the villagers he don’t have to waste time to even meet them up. Simply let the village be gone. The risk of a lawyer manipulating is much higher. Why you need to be educated? It is merely a talk, to get an understanding on how to makes everyone happy or at least didnt get hurt so badly.
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What assurances did the state govt give. After the first deadline DCM2 Prof Rama went to the village and told them that there will be no demolition that day but hours later the demolition team was there and the police had to step in. Was that assuring? LGE said he will revoke the DO, then he said he will invoke S116 to stop demolition but till today nothing happened. Is that assuring, can ppl take LGE’s word at face value? Is he inspiring trust and confidence?
At the last offer the villagers had to make a decision, without knowing any details, within 2 days. Is that fair and assuring?
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Listen..!! think and talk with brain. Demolition = developer, during that time if developer want to demolish even your god couldn’t stop them. CM can revoke developer from building anything on the land. He can’t stop the demolition. Up to date, the village is still standing, you think you are the one who delay it if not the state gahmen? What is wrong with you? …
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The state govt had all the time since Mar2008 to investigate the alleged fraud but so far there is no indication of that. If fraud is uncovered the transaction can be revoked at no cost. This is what the villagers have been claiming even before GE12.
Can you explain why this was not done??
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You know why everything set in once the state government comes in? So you don’t have any time to do…. Do you even know how politics work? Everything takes time and time is what the villagers don’t have. Negotiate a deal for them first before anything. At least they have something if nothing works. Being state CM doesn’t mean you can do everything. Everyday every single thing demands your attention. You need time and time is what the villagers don’t have. And I said this again. Even no fraud took place in the beginning. The villager does not own THAT piece of land. Can you write that down in a piece of “stick-it” and stick it on your fridge?
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You still have not explained how you arrived at a value of RM500k. Value is based not just on land size. Just bcos you live around there it does not make you a valuation expert.
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Like I said, you must not from Penang Island. In Penang, you can have a rundown … house. Your land will make it worth ridiculous amount of money. That is why a landed property in Penang is so expensive and this piece of land is just next to the largest residential area in Penang Island “Greenlane”. A terrace in this area that was built 30 years ago with the paint that look like a haunted house was up for sale at 800k. I talk “only when I know” I don’t talk like you. If you keep quiet nobody will blame you.
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Are you admitting that LGE has been ineffective?
LGE has shown poor leadership in this issue. I think he is only fit to be an opposition politician
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Can you even read? I merely ask you to represent the villagers and talk to the CM and developer, since you sound rather think you are smart but not to the state that you can replace the state CM. Secondly, I notice everything you said is bashing the state CM, barely anything about the real issue apart from using it as a bridge to do some CM or gahmen bashing. Check all my post. I don’t touch politics. Focus with the issue. …
p/s: if you are not a Penangites, why does LGE fit or not to be CM have anything to do with you? And if you are a Penangites which I highly doubt it, cast your valueble vote to the opposite on the next GE if well of cos you are old enough.
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Is there anyone out there actually feel that the math is correct?
RM 3.2 million for the present State Government
RM 12 million for the KBP villagers (RM500,000/house x 24)
RM ??? million for the developer; if the project is successful…
Looks like the State Government is making really little in this deal and anyone who thinks this should be the case has a very generous heart…well, it really looks like Penang State Government indeed cares a lot for the people…especially if they are squatters…
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//Now,u,k,and this khoo fella thinks LGE & Pakatan are all criminals..ok,fine.// — Jeff
Dear Jeff,
Pls dont put words into my mouth. If you cant debate like a gentleman based on facts and principles, then you should politely stay out.
//What’s the main objective?Solving the problem, right?Since,LGE and Pakatan are in the “tak boleh pakai” category,what’s thet result of other alternative moves such as declaring KBP as a heritage site, and funds from overseas?Jawablah..// — Jeff
Declaring KBP as a heritage site is well within the scope of the state govt. Who is stopping them from doing so?
I am not aware of funds coming from overseas. Would you care to elaborate?
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//some comments by K and eagle-eye reflect their mentality.// –PhilipLIM
PhilipLIM,
If that is a compliment, then THANK YOU.
//if ktk had good reason for delaying the transfer of the said land while in power,….//
I did not say so. You are putting words into my mouth. In fact I sought clarification from Anil as I was not sure of what I heard. If LGE declassifies all the Exco minutes relating to KBP we will have a clear picture of the situation. I wonder why LGE is not doing so.
//also why people cannot see that even when last premium were paid days after 8 march, they were paid to a pegawai kerajaan – an interested party. ……then what can lge do? sack him? …//
Stop being an apologist for LGE. How he handles insubordination is a test of his administrative and leadership skills and he hasn’t exhibited much in this issue.
//so please dont talk about lge’s fault in this fiasco. his only crime is he inherited not only the mess but the whole civil depts with vested interest….//
Yes, LGE inherited this mess and it is his job to clean it up. That is what RESPONSIBILITY and ACCOUNTABILITY are all about. If he is not up to mark then he should ship out and let DCM Mansor or Rama take over as CM.
//why do i think the villagers are demanding? they demand to see the cm. it’s their right alright…..//
Given the circumstances I dont think asking to see the CM personally is demanding. If you are about to lose the roof over your head in a matter of days and there is no solution in sight, what would you do.
These are ordinary people who cant even speak proper English. That is why they come across as arrogant. Remember LGE barred their lawyer from participating. You cant expect them to have the articulation and finesse of a CM.
//i would think that given their predicament they should benefit more to get state govt on their side….//
Since March2008 the villagers have been asking the state govt to intervene but the PR govt was just not interested until Hindraf stepped in and forced LGE’s hand.
//the gesture by developer, and land owner koperasi to give up 0.7 acre of land is magnanimous already.//
Ya, “rob” them of 6.5 acres and then return 0.7 acres and you call that magnanimity. Some sense of justice you have!
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Sorry this is a bit out of topic but I stay around that area and every day at least 20-30 cows were left roaming on Yap Chor Ee Road in the evening crossing the road, stopping in the middle of the road, s***ing everywhere. It is dangerous, annoying and causes traffic jam and one day accident will happen. I don’t know if the cows owner stay in KBP but if they do please stop doing this. My friends from outside Malaysia were shocked to see how backward we are still and how our law enforcement sucks!
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Whatever it is, KBP is really lucky.
If Penang is still under the “hands” of umno, KBP is already flatten by now.
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There is a misunderstanding here. The idea that Penang can swap land with developer. Of all the state govts in Malaysia, Penang own the least amount of state land (about 20% of total land) and almost negligible in prime areas – practically none directly(there are some under agencies). You see that big hill in the middle of Penang – that is the bulk of Penang govt real estate.
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eagle-eye wrote:
Ya, “rob” them of 6.5 acres and then return 0.7 acres and you call that magnanimity. Some sense of justice you have!
—————————
Based on your comment, if at the end of day, the KBP villagers didn’t get anything, then you are responsible…
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I dont agree with those who says anil’s reporting on this issue is biased. I get all my KBP news from this blog and even my opinion of these villages have since changed. Im sure anil knows what he is doing and would have written differently if he wanted public support for BKP.
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Some of us already predicted the next move of LGE, ie, starting a media campaign and a propaganda warfare to attack the defenceless villagers, portraying them as greedy, racist and politically motivated bunch… More worryingly, LGE (with the kind help of self-proclaimed “citizen reporters” and “civil society activists’) is …. dividing the Penangites…
If you notice the Sun (CM’s chief MSM mouthpiece) has stopped publishing KBP news from the residents, instead reporting the media statements from LGE and his crew. The STAR’s reporting is interesting, while there are journalists with excellent credibility, there are some bad apples and their report too can be seen from their spinning.
The easiet way to spot these spinners is to see the way the present the news. If they stick to LGE and his exco’s media statements without giving any space to the residents, then we can assume that these folks are the DAP-apologists masquarading as journos.
It was “reported” that RSN “Over My-Dead-Body” Rayer saying that a majority of the residents have agreed to the offer and 4 people have signed up. Well, this is a news to the rest of the world. In fact even LGE did not claim so.
The STAR’s DAP-apologists are also trying to spin for Rayer by justifying his “over my dead body” statement. This is really a shameful piece of reporting that deserve our collective scorn. The role of the media is to present news objectively and not to act as a tool for their political masters to crush dissent and mislead the public.
Also to support my argument regarding the attack on the villagers, please witness the 2 letters in the “Letters to Editor” column that attacked the KBP residents. These badly written and rambling letters certainly seems to be in line with the arguments put forward by the Cheap Minister, thus supporting my suspicions. And a perceptive reader would have noted that these letters carry words and sentences that seemed to suggest that these were written by someone who is posting here in this blog. I will leave it to the others here to point out the writer.
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LGE’s reputation took another nosedive when two of his statements were proven to be lies.
First his accusations that the KBP residents were BN supporters was torn to pieces. It was pointed out that only political activist in the kampung was the Resident Association Asst Secretary C Tharmaraj who is the PKR Penang State Treasurer.
LGE’s 2nd accusation about the residents demanding Rm3.5 Million was also blown apart. He is now claiming that his claims were based on press reports !! How can someone who is in a such responsible position and had many closed discussions with the villagers can make such an irresponsible and damaging claim ? It is obvious that this claim was made to undermine the credibility of the residents and to bolster his own image.
The residents have made a police report. In fact (he could be sued) for defamation… and then use the money to pay his back for the land.
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…Selvaraj… his press statement. The problem with my kampung is this- they speak too much. Anil- you know I exist and I suggest you to print that statement if necessary. Folks, I now think the topic is off tangent.
You may include excerpts from the press statement here in the comments section. – Anil
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Firstly let me conglatulate Anil in running a site that is unbiased echoing both side of the views.
Now, what is the problem with pro LGE or anti LGE. Seriously there is no problem when you air the truth, for what the truth is not what you believe the truth to be at least in Malaysia but what you chose it without acknowledging the truth.
52 years, we have lived a life believing the truth not what the truth is. The truth can only surface if you have humanity aspect in you rather being a tit for tat for a cause that most never understood or with their own agenda what is good for them.
I am sure all the commentors in Anil’s blog are intelligent enough to understand who is the sitting ducks, not me and you but truth that is manipulated for us to belief or made to belief for our own agenda.
You the commentors can do nothing more that vent your frustration for your own agenda, let the the real people do their part if you are conscience enough to actually comprehend what is happening rather playing a role that only benefits you, you and you for your biased intuition gainst humanity. When something is true, stick by as truth has no sides, it is only one side, being humanity.
Gosh, don’t we Malaysian have a lot of growing to do to understand the truth.
Frankly,
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