Photos by a kind soul
1600: The developer, Nusmetro, has held a press conference in George Town. It denies there was any legal agreement to hold back demolition, according to a reporter at the scene. Only a court order can hold it back, argues Thomas Chan of Nusmetro. The developer is giving the residents until Friday to vacate the land.
Tonight, during its meeting with the residents, the state government is expected to present a more detailed settlement proposal to the villagers, which would probably involve getting the villagers to co-exist next to the Oasis project.
This morning, about 150 residents formed a human barricade at the village when they heard that a demolition team was not far away. Eye-witnesses spotted about 30 white-helmeted workers wearing lime-green T-shirts with the words “SRE Ventures Contractor” and wielding sledge-hammers; some of them appeared to be foreign workers. But no bulldozers were seen and the demolition team failed to show up in the village.
About 100 police personnel observed the villagers forming the barricade.
1205: A clarification/correction from Himanshu: It was a legal agreement in the presence of the CPO, the court bailiff or registrar, a developer’s rep and a residents association rep not to engage in vacant posssession or demolition until the application to the Federal Court for a revision of its earlier decision has been disposed of. The letter from the Federal Court agrees to the application and has fixed 18 August for preliminary mention.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister will be holding a meeting with the villagers at 7.30pm (and not 10.30 as mentioned earlier).
1145: A miraculous turn of events: a document has been delivered to the villagers from the Federal Court that effectively holds back vacant possession of the land and demolition of the homes, pending a revision of the last Federal Court decision, which denied the land to the villagers. The application for revision, filed by lawyer Darshan Singh, will be heard on 18 August. So there will be no demolition until that legal avenue has been exhausted, it would appear.
Balik Pulau MP Yusmadi announced this startling news after meeting the CPO, a developer’s representative, and the secretary of the village committee, according to Himanshu Bhatt, northern region editor of theSun, who is at the scene.
1035: Apparently, there is not going to be any demolition – at least for today, according to another source. From what I hear, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng will be holding a meeting with the residents at 10.30pm.
Meanwhile, half a dozen FRU trucks, presumably on standby, were spotted along a side road, off the coastal highway.
0951: Emotions are running high in Kg Buah Pala. Villagers have put up human barricades, according to an eye-witness there.
Earlier, villagers confronted a TNB staff and asked him what he was trying to do there. He said he was just there on standby.
Deputy CM Ramasamy is at the scene trying to calm the villagers. About 40 police personnel are also present.
The villagers want answers: what happened to the probe on alleged fraud? why can’t Section 116 be used…?
Ramasamy has told the villagers there would be a meeting with the residents this evening.
0910: Deputy Chief Minister Ramasamy arrives, quells tense atmosphere, saying the developer has agreed to hold back demolition for now, according to an eye-witness.
Kampung Buah Pala’s case is a LOSE-LOSE situation for PR Govt. Bet you, BN, MIC and HINDRAF knew this very well.
If the villagers failed to get their land, all fingers will be immediately pointed at PR Govt, claimed PR Govt fail to fulfill their promise, PR Govt neglect Indian community (BN favourite weapons-racist issue), PR Govt neglect the poor and etc. BN will definitely use this topic to kill off PR Govt in the next GE, especially from Indian voters. It may also become a national topic around Malaysia, not only Penang.
Let say miracle did happen, the villagers manage to keep the land. PR Govt either have to fork out hundred millions of tax payer money to settle the case. PR Govt will naturally out of funds to develop the state. With no development in the remaining of next 3-4 years. Again, Penang voters will blame PR govt of inefficient, not capable of developing the state despite giving the chance in GE13.
Or both Numestro/Koperasi (BN partners) will be ready to sue PR Govt for contempt of Federal Court decision, again hundred millions ringgit law suit will be filed against PR Govt, possible bankruptcy will occur. Wait…that’s not all,at the same time, PR Govt will still not be considered as a Saviour to Kampung Buah Pala’s villagers since some parties who make lot of noises now will surely be fast to claim credits, will shout out loud that if not becos of involvement and protest from MIC, HINDRAF, NGO and etc. PR govt will never help the villagers. KBP will never be survive until that moment.
Now, do you see the point? whichever way PR Govt will still end up a loser.
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LGE has been a total failure as a CM in the issue of KBP.
He has been nothing but a bumbling, incompetent leader. He has been talking loud but cheap and empty. He talks a lot but says nothing.
He keeps blaming KTK for the issue while the rest of the world is more interested about solution rather than who is to blame. Who cares if KTK or even Genghis Khan sold off the land?? LGE has to understand that he is the CM now and as a CEO he has to assume both assets and liabilities of the firm (in this case problems and issues of the state).
There is no point if he only wants the prestige of the job and jetting around and behaving like an international stateman but don’t want to face the issues.
I am particularly upset that he has sent Prof Rama and Rayer, two powerless leaders who has no credibility at all with the residents after their empty promises. LGE has the time to fly to Singapore but has no time to go down to KBP to meet and see the real situation like a true leader. If Najib can walk down the streets why can’t LGE ???
The fact of the case is LGE has failed the residents repeatedly. First he did nothing for 16 months after the GE despite his promises. And then after the Federal Court verdict managed to postpone the demolition but only waste the time by flying around to Singapore and spending time away from Penang.
LGE…Hero in Bkt China but a Zero in KBP……
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Wisdom23
I think you failed to consider one simple fact. That LGE is in this situation because of his own stupidity and incompetence.
(His people) made a promise to villagers without doing home work. And then… the transfer of the land under his tenure. And finally he acted too slow until the whole issue has gone too far.
This shows that he is … incompetant.
I am sorry but I have to agree with the residents that had this been a case involving an economically more powerful
group, LGE would have been far more aggressive and assertive….
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K,
What’s your contribution to KBP villagers besides continue given lot of non-constructive comments on the case .
Instead of blaming.
Why don’t you make a more concrete plan to form a party or join MIC to conquer Penang in the next GE and become the next CM in Penang. At least from there, you can contribute to the villagers in KBP. Surely you’ll gain a lot of supporters.
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K, another point, pls tell me which politician in the world (not only Malaysia) didn’t promise to help the voters of their constituents during election.
Don’t tell me you just born yesterday to learn about politics. PR Govt with 2DCMs involved did indeed help KBP, but now you blaming why CM himself not involved. Do you mean these two DCMs are useless and incompetent? Please remember Govt not formed by just a single person but a team. If that is the case, why Penang need 2 DCMs? why need EXCOs? CM alone is enough to handle all the complaints, finding way to develop the State economic, traffic problems, rubbish problems, flooding problems and etc. Sometimes I’m wondering whether you really think before you speak out.
Without a doubt, PR Govt is not perfect, same goes to LGE, he is neither a Saint. He did make mistake. But if you really know and understand how BN Govt handled squatters issue for the past decades in the country. KBP village will be gone in a day. Did you learn about squatters case in Farlim and other areas? In KBP’s case at least there are still 2 words called “negotiation” and “compensation”. Those days, once Councils, FRU, developer, bulldozer were there, the squarters house will be flat and history in just an hour. Not to mention to meet CM or DCM, even you want to meet a normal govt officer also not likely.
That’s why sometimes I wonder whether PR Govt being too kind to the rakyat since GE13? PR govt simply too soft and too diplomatic.
They should govern with iron fist like BN Govt, then they’ll not have such headaches and nonsense to face the squarters. KBP’s case is a typical case, where were the current protesters when the land deal was signed and completed. The ex-State Govt even held a press conference. Who dare to go and disturb them.
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Just to add a bit more as there are still those out there that keeps on denying facts that all the trouble came from the previous administrative hand (Gerakan&UMNO).
Well yes we can blame LGE for being not aggressive/incompetent/slow and unwilling to meet the residents. But did any one of BN supporters realize that this whole issue would have been handled in another way if the previous BN gov’t ruled Penang.
For sure, the villagers would have been kicked out much earlier. Not only would the developers have kicked them out with thugs, but the FRU would also be doing the same kicking. So for those still thinking to have BN coming back next PRK13, than think again of the consequences.
Coming back to the KBP issue, I think the best way is for villagers to look at the positive side of the possibility that they can live with more money and hopefully bring up their kids in a much better prospective (i’m sure its better than living in a filthy house). Although its hard to leave the stuffs we’re fond to, but you don’t know what is over the hills if you don’t try to climb it.. I hope if the developers still wont back down, then the villagers should listen to those that are not those groups of opportunists..
Anyway, I’m sure the current Penang gov’t would handle this predicament that would benefit the entire Penang people (KBP and Penang tax payers money). Its only being made an issue by these group of losers (UMNO/BN)..
- my 2nd two cents from UK..
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LGE and his gang promised many things before the election like BN and sadly yo say most of them are remained empty promises as usual.
The land grant was given out within a few days under the nose of LGE against years for normal case. This is a truly Malaysia record.
LGE is incompetent CM, and he is better served as an opposition leader in the future.
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wisdom23,
are you suggesting that we go back to the days of the BN or are you saying that it will be acceptable for PR to act like the BN.
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For those nong-nongs who keep on harping the fact that the land grant was issued when LGE was in office, get a few things straight.Who are members of the cooperative ? Senior civil servants ! … Who issue out land titles ? Civil servants ! They are the ones to gain. Do you really think they would not sneakily carry out the transfer ? Stop blaming LGE. Grow up !!
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Dear Penangnites
LGE Govt accepted payment of RM 2.24m on 14/3/2008 from Cooperative and issued the title on 27/3/2008 to Cooperative within 19 days of forming the State Government on the very Land the DAP promise to save from Land Scam!!!
LGE Govt Blamed BN.. and declassified BN EXCO minutes.
BN approval dated 25/4/2007.. is it still valid on 14/3/2008 when LGE accepted payment from cooperative???
S.81(2)NLC 1965 validity expires if premium not paid within specific time in notice which usualy only 3mths!!
If BN approval expired… who gave fresh approval in 2008!!!
Why LGE Govt have not declassified DAP EXCO minutes on Kg Buah Pala?????
LGE was chairman of Land Committe EXCO … If he preaches CAT… dare him to publish all EXCO DAP EXCO minutes and documents on Kg Buah Pala!!!!
Competency– Lose RM 150m valued land in 19days of
becoming CM
Accountability– Blame everyone in shooting range..
BN,MIC, Hindraf, Villagers
Transparencies– Release only Half Documents..
Release Only BN EXCO Minutes
Lets not lie to our own conscience and claim the lies as truth and betray the village people who were die hard PAKATAN supporters!!!
This is betrayal by DAP on illiterate and ignorant indian villagers… for which the DAP n LGE will reap the seeds they sowed on this helpless people in due time!!!
The Wheel of Karma may be slow.. but it is absolute!!
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In conclusion, the land is not yours, you have to go. Squatter is still squatter. The law had spoken.
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Choose BN next term and see what will happen. stupid!!!
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