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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//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?//
crash,
Anil had clearly stated that he had verified with the villagers and that they denied demanding RM3.5mil. I trust Anil to be a fair reporter. On the other hand LGE was not at all sure. At first – news report, then he said some ppl called him. LGE played dirty to tarnish the villagers and to provoke outrage among the majority.
//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.//
I dont know what you mean by the above; you dont make any sense.
Anyway you said everyone is a victim. I said the developer is not a victim and I explained why.
//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.//
It is you who dont understand politics. LGE wants to portray the villagers as greedy. If he simply let the village go he will look the bad guy. That is why he is playing tai-chi.
//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.//
You are accusing lawyers of being manipulative? That is a serious accusation and it is most irresponsible of you.
Anyway this is not a mere talk as you put it. The villagers are negotiating and that requires technical knowledge and language skills. That is why they need the services of a lawyer so that they can get the best advice during the meeting.Understand?? But LGE does not want that. The villagers after returning from each meeting with the CM found the offer unacceptable when they consult with their lawyers and those banned from the meeting.
Then when they reject the ‘fantastic’ offer, LGE accuses them of being unreasonable and outsiders thought they were greedy!!! This is the game that LGE has been playing.
//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? …//
Hey, relax man, you are getting angry. This is just a debate, no need to get emotional!
I can think with my brain but I can’t talk with my brain!! I hope you can figure that.LOL
You say the CM cant stop the demolition and in the same breath you contradict yourself by saying the village is standing bcos of the CM. And you end up asking what is wrong with me. You seem thoroughly confused.
Anyway you havent answered any of the questions I raised about the ‘assurances’.
//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?//
You are just spinning circles without answering my question about the investigation into the alleged fraud. LGE had all the time since March2008 to investigate, can you explain why he didnt??
//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.//
Are you a valuation expert? Property values are based on valuation principles. Pls find out if you dont know, dont simply rant your ignorance.
//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. … //
This was your comment:
“Since you know even more than anybody else, why don’t you come to Penang and speak with the developer and CM on behalf of the villagers?”
The CM has banned outsiders from participating in any meeting yet you are asking me to speak for the villagers.
Obviously the CM has failed, has not shown leadership.
I still maintain that LGE is only fit to be an opposition politician. If you think I am bashing the CM, that is your point of view as you are fond of saying.
//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.//
What does it matter whether I am from Penang, Kelantan or Timbuktu. Why are you being parochial? We are Malaysians. KBP is a national issue and any Malaysian has the right to comment.
As for my vote, I know how to exercise that right. If I need your advise I would ask you.
crash,
I notice that whenever you are unable to debate intelligently, you have a tendency to attack the person by calling names like ‘how old are you’, ‘think with brain’,
‘can you read’.
These are classic signs of a loser, someone emotionally unstable. Pls grow up, dont let emotions cloud your objectivity.
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//thanks Lilian,
Egle.. now you get this?
“2) As for the 116 (D), i.e. the court order to stop demolition, as a citizen journalist, I was as curious as all of you to know why it wasn’t filed when we explicitly heard it will be done. So, I tried to get the DCM 2 to explain to me why. He couldn’t officially state the reason. Why? Because when you are in a peace talk, you cannot do this. *So, I guess* it is because ….. This of course, is *my own understanding* based on what I managed to eke out before I was told the ‘No comment’.”
crash,
Pls read that again. It is a guess and it is based on that persons understanding.
That is not a credible information and it is obviously crafted to spin LGE in a positive light.
I still maintain that LGE mislead ppl.
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“Yes about the unfortunate Thai lady,she also didn’t agree with the court decision and I think everyone in Penang knew that was a clear forgery. Do you know what happened to this Thai lady in end, go find out. Knowing very well that the court is going to be against the villages, it is better to take up whatever best that comes your way.I really sympathize with these villagers but what is done is done, you can rant/shout/protest/sent many memos /accuse anyone or everyone/encourage people to fight another day or all the days but nothing changes the court’s decisions unless by some miracle( human intervention)that decides otherwise. Hope for the best for everyone involved.”
– uncle buck
I find it rather sad that you would take the position that just because the court is less than just we should just give up and be subservient to the oppressive system.
LGE and his government has a golden opportunity to do what is right and just and compassionate but from the revelation in a video (http://www.malaysiakini.tv/video/17564.html) it appeared that lge could have botched the whole deal. Either he had forgotten to do what he promised or he was given bad advice at that point in time. Either way he could not admit the mistake.
If the system do not change then what happened to the thai lady and kbp could happen to anyone. Are penangites so wrapped up in their warped materialistic sensibility that they could not see an injustice happening right under their nose ?
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The harm has been done and the Indians have been made to suffer in k b pala.
Happilly to satisfy the new owners of the land, the state and federal governments have sold their souls…
Well, every action has a reaction.
The Indians at KBP had been stupid, innocent and ignorant to believe that the politicians on both sides will save their land. At last neither Guan Eng, Anwar Ibrahim nor Najib extended their … hands. Samy velu is totally impossible …
The Indians have been cheated by the British. Falsehood boasted its days. The Browns left leaving the … fools in limbo; and there they stayed to be cheated of everything. The law acted against them. Why didn’t (they) act to purchase the land long before Koh Soo Koon signed it off for … and now he has a baby face. Both the past and present chief ministers deserve …
Nevermind, God watches all and He knows what is best for each and everyone. If He hasn’t acted yet, He will soon in His own way! The END is not yet there. …
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Dear Anil
Kg Buah Pala residents are grateful to Lim and Pakatan government for what they have done. One of them said, “When BN cheated them PR helped them.”
(Malaysiakini TV clip)
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