It was a sad, sad day for Kampung Buah Pala as a demolition team smashed the homes of villagers who had struggled to protect and preserve their 200-year-old settlement.
Photos by an eye-witness
1930: “My heart is completely broken today. Where were all the NGOs and political parties?” lamented a volunteer who had stood by the villagers. “Nobody was there … to see for themselves the pain the people went through. (I was) standing there and watching the demolition helplessly.”
“Even trees were not spared. A goat took refuge under a tractor. Dogs and cats were helpless with nowhere to go.”
1249: Kampung Buah Pala is rapidly disintegrating as the developer’s wrecking crew carries out symbolic demolition of nearly all houses. A porch is smashed here, a room there, a wall torn down over there, bringing down the roof…
No resistance is offered amidst emotional scenes as the villagers appear utterly demoralised during the developer’s fourth demolition effort backed by police. In the end, after all the promises to defend the village made by various politicians, the villagers are left to mourn alone as the developer tears down their precious homes.
A slice of history is being wiped out to make way for a luxury condominium project, ironically named “Oasis”. The real oasis was Kampung Buah Pala – an alternative way of life, more in harmony with nature, now lost as the concrete jungle encroaches relentlessly. All in the name of ‘development’.
Once again, a developer triumphs over ordinary residents – and a village that means so much to its inhabitants disappears.
The world is moving very fast. we should do as well. Just take up the offer and move on…get the house and then get money from Sammy Vellu, since he promised RM3.2mn.
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That’s sad!
It could have been done another way, enough to forestall and forewarn of many others in wait!
Any pix records of events, Anil?
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The proposed strip down double-storey home is worth only RM125,000. I doubt there is any premium in the sub-sale housing markets.
In the end, the residents were duped by … BN, PR, HINDRAF, MIC, NGOs, Ko-perasi Pegawai Kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang Bhd (KPKN) and Nusmetro Ventures (P) Sdn Bhd.
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Anil,
200 years ago, it’s a jungle whereby Francis cheated Sultan Kedah on Penang in which those lands could have been inhabitated by somebody else being settled by KBP folks for 200 years
Salak,
If it were BN ruling the state, KBP folks would get nothing & demolition would start on 9th of March, 2008.
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Thanks very much Mr CM … thanks for (standing aside and allowing the) destruction (of) our heritage, culture and identity…
From a socialist party, now DAP has mutated into a party that (allows the) oppression (of) the poor, rape (of) the environment and (cooperation) with … Big Business…
All Hail LGE … Father of “Development”…
DAP – Development and Profits party
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so now they blame everyone not them self?
what ever it is, i lost my sympathy already (for those demanding too much especially offers given by LGE / PR ). I can feel the tension and headache of LGE fighting with rubbish BN and KTK.
Early attempt numestro KBP resident is no go. Bring to court also lose (by Fed. Court), back to penang nego again, no go. hindraf bla bla bla.. Police? FRU? bla bla bla
now I wonder how clever they are (KBP folks) if they still wanna vote BN for PRU13.
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It sure is a sad day indeed! I passed by the village this morning on the way to work and my heart cried when I saw the light strike force personnel and police taking their places. None of us can understand the pain the KBP folks are going through and all I can do is to pray that they will remain strong and that the Project will never kick off. (Perhaps) the soil test (will) fail and Project suspended? How can anyone even stay at the Oasis after indirectly/directly causing the KPB villagers to loose their home, and for some, even their income. The Oasis will be another nightmare for the Bukit Gelugor residence too when construction starts and pollution kicks in esp. for those staying close to the area.
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As a true Penangite, I would say the best is just to take whatever that they give you and move on.
As the state government already fought for them for a very good package, but they didn’t want that. so… They got no one to blame other than themselves.
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Has anyone of you ever pass the area when the cows are out. They roam the road at will with no one taking care of them in sight. Assuming there is an accident around that area an a human life is lost, who do you blame or you still symphatise with them
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Time to pick up the pieces and move on.
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The Oasis
the oasis seling at 260k-290k, so a terrace around them is not bad what.
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Kerja-kerja peningkatan (upgrade) sedang dilakukan. Segala kesulitan amat dikesali. Sila kembali apabila rumah percuma dan mewah anda siap dibina.
Terima kasih kepada Yb-Yb DAP kerana berusaha membantu penduduk Kg Buah Pala mendapatkan pampasan ini.
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I hope and pray that this development tainted with the curse, blood and tears of the residents will fail and all the ppl involved will pay their just dues.
NO ONE CAN BREAK THE EYES OF GOD.
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A victory for Pakatan and DAP
A victory for the Cheap Minister
A Victory for Big Business
A victory for development
A defeat for heritage and culture
A defeat for humanity and politics of principles
A defeat for human rights and social justice
A dark day for Penang, a dark day for Malaysia
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Yes, finally these arrogant greedy villagers have been kicked out. Majority of penangites, including Indians like me are fed up with such antics by a few villagers, let us not forget majority of them are thankful to our CM LGE for twisting the developers arm and getting such never before seen compensation – double storey houses and community hall, plus relocation costs.
HINDRAF had hidden agendas which is now uncovered when they along with Sugu went to UMNO and chanted their new manthra ’1Malaysia’ and claimed only UMNO can help them. Hindraf lead by a coward who ran away to UK … are now UMNO subservients and nothing but … thuggish …
SHame on Hindraf, Sugumaran, and MIC for championing something they themselves created. You will get what you deserve.
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A sad sad day indeed, I am in concord with Anonymous.
Although my anger is directed at the the previous state govt of Penang who were in cohorts with the compradore corporates in the name of Koperasi Pegawai Kanan and Nusmetro Ventures (P) Sdn, I am equally disappointed with the LGE administration who could have walked the extra mile by putting a hold on this project if they had invoked the relevant provisions of the National Land Code. As for the school of thought whose mantra and magic word is development, pls think again. Do not fall prey for the obsession in the drive to turn Penang into a concrete hub void of its depleting green lungs.
Oh yes I hope I do not sound arrogant: Sugumaran was overtly critical of only the LGE adm.Why did he not approach the Emperor of MIC for the RM3.2 to save KBP
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I wonder what the feng shui masters will have to say about the bad vibes after Oasis has been built. I wouldn’t touch it with a barge pole.
There are some things that can’t be explained away, like the house next door to mine which has seen 5 new owners in the past seven years.
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Don’t think it’s me. The other neighbours haven’t moved.
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Penang need to progress. Look what Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu has done for us and now LGE is trying to make Penang a better & modern city like S’pore and that’s for the betterment of Penangites yet you people out there are saying he’s greedy…. Did anyone make any noise when Tun Dr. LCE develop Penang some 30 yrs back? No, but praises all around even up today. Penang has to move on and not just block by some greedy residents who keep blaming LGE & PR who has helped them nego for a double storey house. Common, how many average wage earners can afford that. Its for the future generation. Many of us may not be around to witness it. It is indeed sad to see them demolish the houses but sometimes life has to move on. We can only live on memories.
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Kepada Anil,
jika kamu rasa kerana atas nama pembangunan, pokok-pokok dan tumbuh-tumbuhan dimusnah, sila tubuhkan satu dana bagi membeli tanah. Tanah di mana-mana pun boleh beli. K akan derma kepada dana ini.
Kemudian, selepas berjuta-juta ringgit digunakan bagi membeli tanah tersebut, atas nama anti-pembangunan, sila tanah jagung, sawi, kacang, nanas dan lain-lain tumbuhan seperti lalang.
Kamu akan disanjungi ramai, terutama K (atau Koh Tsu Kon).
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I just could not bring myself to see the destruction to the village in the name of development through a web of alleged scams.
The developer has emerged victorious. Congrats LGE. To the villagers my heart goes out to you and I shall continue to pray for you.
I last visited the village on the 9th August 2009 to see it with my own eyes. I am again travelling to Penang during the Raya break and had hoped to drop by the village again……..
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“Even trees were not spared. A goat took refuge under a tractor. Dogs and cats were helpless with nowhere to go.”
OH MY GOD! The aliens have invaded?
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I’m staying very near to KBP, I don’t think the KBP’s residents are smart enough. The whole issue cannot be solved definately reason is because that was the courts order. they should “Thanks God” that our CM Lim Guan Eng fighting on behalf of them, to get them back the shelter to stay (double storey terrace house).
At this point of time, no need to blame who and what not, if you want to blame then blame those who sold the land to the developer, we know who and no need to mention the name.
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Do you think this is the only kampung being demolished? There are a lot of kampung being demolished all over Malaysia throughout the years and why aren’t they in the paper and this kampung buah pala happen to be in the paper as a hot news?
It is so obvious that this is a plot by BN to pull down PR. And there again another scenario is starting.
Tanjong Tokong Malay village asking to be preserved as heritage. And this time is the Malay village, BN once again will send in some representatives to ***. What next??? Chinese village???
this and that.
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The root cause of the suffering of the people in cases like KBP is basically greed and corruption. There are far too many cases of land being transferred to third parties fraudulently over the past few decades. Once title over a land has passed, even an illegal act becomes legalised.
The Government of the day seem truly helpless when faced with such a legal issue. While talks about reforming the land laws is beyond me, I would think that a policy of “no forced eviction” would help to avoid and ameliorate such tear jerking drama as have happened in KBP over the past 2 years.
My heart bleeds for the folks of the Tamil High Chaparral. My 82 year old mum who is residing in Penang calls it lovingly, the Nutmeg Village.
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