Mahmud Yusoff, who grew up in Kg Tanjung Tokong in Penang, shares with us his thoughts on the uncertain future facing the villagers:
I was born and grew up in the kampung until Form Five and later left for further studies and work in KL; so my heart is never far from developments in the kampung i.e. through regular visits and involvement in local NGOs for the sake of villagers’ rights…
Back in 1974, the federal government (during the leadership of the late Tun Razak) decided to develop Tanjong Tokong through the Urban Development Authority (Uda). Thus, the state government transferred 48 acres of the land for a token RM1. The traditional villagers who have been there for the last 200 years were declared “squatters” through Uda’s affidavit filed in the Penang High Court on 10 December 2008. Are they doing justice to the villagers?
As mentioned in the Penang Land Office’s letter ref. Bil: (44) dlm. PTG/PM/DTL/76 dated 13 February 1984, the land transfer was on condition “the land hereby alienated shall be used solely for the rehabilitation, reconstruction and renewal of Tanjong Tokong village”. Lawyers argued over the condition, which did not necessarily mean a revamp of the village into totally high-rise housing/commercial projects.
Can’t we consider the rehabilatation, reconstruction and renewal of the kampung so that it provides a more presentable image that could be a living heritage with a touch of tourism, village industries, and home-stay? If we could maintain (definitely with some improvement) Weld Quay and Little India as they are, why not Tanjong Tokong village (i.e. the oldest village on the fringe of George Town)?
Uda was “rewarded” with another 52 acres of coastal reclaimed land (adjacent to E & O’s Sri Tanjong Pinang Development) by the previous state government, where high-end condominiums, terrace houses (under construction) and a commercial complex (in planning stage) are in the pipeline. Uda should also build low- and medium-cost flats within that area to ease the plight of the real “squatters” and new young families who reside in Tanjong Tokong Village. Isn’t that an option to solve the problem?
Several meetings and presentations have been made to the PR state government, even to LGE, about the Tanjong Tokong villagers’ (not the real “squatters” or imported residents) aspirations through the Persatuan Penduduk Tanjung Tokong. Having saying that, during the rule of the BN government, memorandums submitted and several meetings resulted in the projects being delayed – but the real voice of Tanjong Tokong residents has still not been ‘properly’ heard.
The next step, without neglecting the PR state government’s assistance and cooperation, is to seek a meeting with the late Tun Razak’s son so that he can consider the Persatuan Penduduk Tanjong Tokong’s proposals through a new memorandum to be submitted soon.
This is really getting out of control, Anil. Time to put a stop to it? It’s beginning to look like one of those free for all blogs.
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Yes, I might have to limit people to two comments per post or something. People, please add some substance to your comments, instead of just making personal attacks.
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Please delete those personal attack and nonsense comments. Such control is nothing to do with the freedom of speech.
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Surely your reply was in reference to Gerakan K’s immaturish personal attacks to everyone here? I’m frankly mildly surprised you even let this bloke continued the way he did, Anil. For a moment there, this blog was beginning to resemble RPK’s what with Gerakan K’s childish taunts.
If I had wanted to read nasty words and be entertained, I’d have gladly opened RPK’s site. But I read yours, Anil, to be enlightened with educated arguments and suppositions. So, yes, by all means, tell this Gerakan K to zip it. We know how he feels about LGE and DAP. No need to repeat ad nauseam.
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RPK claimed no censorship in his blog, but his Admin blocked my ID access after my bashing on his racist remarks against Chinese.
I respect hypocrite like RPK to deny my access to his blog after all MT blog is his private property. LOL
Reading comments in this blog is wasting our valuable time with more Gerakan K alike netizens moonlighting here.
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Okay, let’s stick to the topic then and refrain from personal attacks/flames that do not add anything to the discussion. I am trying not to block anyone.
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Hello NKKhoo, you were wrong. I will ‘sumpah’ under my new BMW (cbu) frontlight to say that nobody pay me to comment in this blog. I just get the new car after commenting in this blog. It is just coincidence and not my reward.
Hello blog owner, you must allow me to clear my name this time as this Naughty Kid khoo try to tarnish my goodname.
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In my opinion Anil, you should not limit the comments, it only goes to show how shallow the thoughts of a Malaysian can be when there is a Team A & Team B minus what is factual, substance and the truth to the issue for the communities goodwill. This elements will eventually fade away.
Many amongst the commentors probably find some solace in voicing their escapism, or maybe their false in hope or anticipating some kind of change without any action besides being an arm chair critic for the truth in the matter.
Quality will eventually prevail over quantity when truth emerges.
So, i think it is just a matter of time that this selfish wanderers will fade away as it serves no further individual purpose anymore.
When one preach the so called truth, then that one will make a change for him/herself eventually. Envisage a change amongst those who despair for their own blinded individual affinity as truth always surfaces. That is the law of the nature.
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That makes sense as well. Truth will prevail, right?
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Gerakan K,
I am a supporter of DAP and PR but I do not fear them or LGE. Unlike KTK who fear UMNO, LGE do not fear any component parties in the PR coalition. Unless you come to this blog to wreck havoc you are never sincere in debating rationally. That why we need to use uncivilized words to uncivilized people like you.
Take for example, when KTK was CM, UMNO Ahmad Said barged in to attend a Council meeting although he was not a Councilor. The President asked him to leave and he refuse. He then telephone UMNO head somewhere else and was allowed to attend but no comment and just listen AND KOH TSU KOON COULN`T DO ANYTHING AT ALL. If you are a Gerakan person, I am sure you know about this issue. Isn`t that CHICKEN.
On the other hand when one of PKR ADUN created havoc and called for a boycott of the Council meeting, that PKR ADUN was sacked by LGE until he apologized and only then was he reinstated. COULD KTK DO THAT !!!!!!!!! to umno…….
Now lets get back to Kg Buah Pala. Yes my heart goes to the Kg Buah Pala residents, and I mean every word GO TO HELL to those who are trying to take advantage of the current government and people of Penang.
THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN A GOOD OFFER. Mind you please that land is not theirs, they are TOL user and the court has already given the verdict. Blame it on KTK and Gerakan who have sold of the land to the co-operatives. Surely you are not that blind.
The people affected in Tg Tokong and the coastal road are not so greedy as the Kg Buah Pala. They just wanted to up their offer by only a few thousand ringgit. The coastal road issue have been solved and Tg Tokonng will be solved soon.
Coming to Heritage, before open you big mouth, please check out the meaning of heritage and whether the Kg Buah Pala resident has any claims to it..
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Tanjung Tokong was a beautiful fishing village area and before the land reclamation was done, you could see a natural sand spit going out to sea, formed by the tides. There was also a mangrove forest growing just by the promenade that ran along the road opposite Tanjung Tokong village proper. The fisherman used to anchor their boats in the lagoon formed by the curve in the sand spit. I’ve lived near there since I was 10 years old and will never forget that beautiful sight or the feel of the wind from the sea. I used to sit there for hours wanting to put that beautiful scene in a painting. It was beyond words and the peace that one feels gazing into the vast expanse of sea and the fishing boats with their gossamer nets, is now only a memory. Society has become such that it has no time for beauty or to listen to the sound of the sea as if it was sighing. Perhaps it knew its days were numbered. Now all we can talk about (in sharpe angry voices) is of the corruption that has been committed, the denial of rights of villagers, the money that has changed hands, the conglomerates, the value of compensation and wheeling and dealing that oppresses. While we talk, more towers appear, the sea is pushed further and further out, so we can’t see it. The fisher folk have been scattered and housed in boxes called apartments, a far cry from their gracious dwelling of the traditional kampung house that suited their needs and did no harm to our environment. We have lost the beauty of this land and how much we quarrel will not return it. Whether the blame lies with Federal or State authorities, we will never get back what has been destroyed forever.
This may be a lost cause just like Kg. Buah Pala, the responsibility for the mess does not only lie with the State government but more so on the Federal government. No matter who the villagers chose to champion their cause, the result was the same, the developers won out and have gone to the banks laughing. So, what do we do? Who can we hope in?
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Yang, you are a classic example of quality will eventually prevail over quantity when truth emerges.
Keep at it, see how long before the truth surfaces in your facade because you can never defeat the truth alike all the other man made issues that only holds its water for our individual need as oppose to the society that we intend to create. Wish you well my fellow Malaysian.
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Anilnetto true face has been surfaced. Non of comment guideline stated that all comments must not say something negative to LGE or PR. What is the difference between MCMC intention to censor online dissent with anilnetto.com blog that bars any negative comment towards LGE or PR? Freedom of information and free speech? Independent news? What constitute nonsense? Federal government take over by PR in September 16 is nonsense or not? Kg Buah Pala villagers are greedy because to demand RM3.2 million is nonsense or not? Who will be the judge? Is that anything pro-PR will be regared as non non-sense? Asking someone to go to hell is nonsense or not? Why practice double standard towards BN supporters? Why that person called Yang that asking Kg Buah Pala villagers to go to hell receive no condemnation but be praised instead? Is that OK to ask someone to go to hell?
Stop pretending you are just if you all can’t anwser my questions.
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Gerakan K, get the hell out of Penang. We don’t need people like you. Penangites are sick of gerakan, not they can do except polish umno…
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This Gerakan K is a desperado. Because gerakan was completely wipe out in the 12 GE in Penang…. He is banging LGE & PR to release steam. He’s living in dreamland, dreaming Gerakan will rule Penang come 13GE. All you LGE & PR supporters out there, ignore this G.K guy. Let him comment & comdemn… No cure, he’s a die hard Gerakan man. Maybe he was one of the ex-exco or assemblyman who’s trying to vent his frustration on all the voters who supported PR.
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Excuse me, we are discussing Malaysia internal affair. You as people of People Republic Of China (as indicated in your name), please don’t meddle into our internal affair. I don’t critize your country, eg China human right affair, please spare us.
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A real racist….
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This is clear example of comment that need to deleted by blog owner. What are you trying to say?
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My country is Malaysia Gerakan.. What are you. Read the history. Where did you come from???
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I’m Malaysian with blue ic.
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Leave this fellow Gerakan K alone, he is obviously someone who is bent on going against everyone. The more you talk about him, the more he responds. Just ignore him and soon he will get tired and stop this unnecessary barrage.
But the bottom line is that KSK was a CM that sold out Penang, the stretch of road to Batu Feringhi, now it is like a builders paradise, the true paradise that it use to be is lost forever and it all happened during Gerakan/BN’s time. What a shame, we have lost many things forever becoz we had someone who didn’t have the interests of the Penang people at heart. What a shame!!!!!!!!
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KTK sold out Penang? Not really. He did not pocketed money from development. Why not you just compare Penang with Kelantan? In Kelantan you will notice that there is not much difference back to 20 years ago. No development in Kelantan. Most green lung intact. Very dormant economy in Kelantan. The younger ones forced to work in KL. Is that indicator of good government? How can we keep everything untouched when pursuing for better quality of living standard? I give you one example, given a choice do you prefer sourcing water from well or water pipe? Piped water is a newer development than well water. Of course we have to sacrifice some land and also inflict some damages to environment in order for piped water system to work. Do we blame government for its effort to bring piped water direct to you house?
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To : Mahmud Yusoff
Pls get PM to talk to UDA especially Tun Daim and geng.
This super rich Malays a shoud have some brains to preserve the kampong meaning kampong tersusun fit for kampong warisan and tourism to generate income.
When Khazanah eyeing Campbell Street for heritage, cant PM think about this application for kampong Tg Tokong.
It would be better to build kampong warisan on E&O reclaimed land as better price land and better tersusun.
We cannot see one by one kampong wipe out in the holy crusade called development from BN adminstration and LGE although drafting Heritage Bill now, i dont think this bill benefit you people if your old ramshackle kampong houses are retain & very ugly unsightly.
Be clever and smart and farsighted when you deal with any politician be it BN or PR.
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Gerakan K
wake up! kg tg tokong was mess up under gerakan and umno from mid 1980s.
get your facts rite, dont point cm lge, you start pointing at lim chong eu, koh tsu koon and all umno.
wake up!!
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Gerakan are the ones wiped out all kampunns and padi field in bayan baru in the holy name of electronics.
What year was that Gerakan K?
Are you born in 1972?
Gerakan wiped out kampong tg tokong.
Gerakan wiped out kampong batu uban.
Gerakan………….
All this crusades in the holy name of development
facilitated by UMNO penang.
Gerakan K, what are you talking about??
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Gerakan K,
If BN had ruled Penang now, the next last kampong to be wiped out is kampong permatang damar laut.
Just imagine the land for flats at teluk kumbar was supposedly to be the pampasan for the population of this kampong. It never take off yet….but the idea was blessed by koh tsu koon in the holy name called airport extension to bring down this massive plane called 777 eerrr…eerrr ..missioned by Umno.
Do we need such big budget for airport when our public transport is stinking poor?
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KSK Gerakan Party already history at Penang lah and our Gerakan K(Kiasu) tak tau dari mana Penang bawa BMW baru berlagak… I also drive a Mercedes you now(the Mercedes lori bawa balak)… Buck up Gerakan K…..
Back to Tg Tokong, I hope the PR government will try to prevent some portion of this tradition village for our generation.
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To defend paddy field in Penang? Let’s be rational. Kedah already a dedicated state for our rice supply. Land is limited in Penang. Penang is wellknown internationally because of electronic industry. Even global PC, harddisk makers and Microsoft attracted to Malaysia because of efforts to promote IT industry. Malaysia can’t be an advanced state with paddy fields and villages. IT industry creates millions of jobs and enhancing our reputation internationally.
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Goodness me. Is that what Gerakan can come up with??????
RM 75,00 more than a RM 500,000 terrace house. I am really confused….
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GK! Don’t talk big ab KTK.
He is selfish.He once was a highly
respected person.
When he fixed conditions for the
open debate with LGE he’s now cosidered
a coward.
You just wait GK.This debate is
not going to happe.
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I think LGE has something to hide in this Kg Buah Pala issue…. Reason:
1)LGE refuse to declassify minute/recording of exco meetings (I mean all, including KTK’s time). Can some PR supporters tell me why? … to cover up any malicious decision/directive towards the residents?
2)Because LGE refuse to declassify these important information (as condition for debate by KTK), LGE has a reason to avoid debate with KTK. Is LGE a coward? My anwser: yes
3)LGE refuse to meet with Kg Buah Pala residents provided they do not bring along a lawyer. What is LGE intention? My anwser: we know that these residents are simple person. Without an experience person in law, LGE can easily do something to these residents.
In summary, LGE is a coward … CAT concept has failed because LGE failed to practice its T (Transparency) of C.A.T slogan. PAS also failed to practice its slogan, “PAS FOR ALL” with its “malay majority” concept and intention to push malaysia as islamic state.
I will waiting for rational feedback. If I want to read nonsense, I will go to RPK website.
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One thing we all should realised is that the so called devlopments in Penang since the day of KTK until now are the products of peicemeal efforts of developers. Until now the state government continue to abdicate its responsibility to provide a properly planned redevelopments that meet the aspiration and need of the people. We continued to witness unsustainable development sprouting up across the state, we never learn from the tsunami tragedy. Our politicians seem to be proud of all the encroachment to our beaches/ mangroves in the name of DEVELOPMENT. Our politicains disregard whether they are from BN or Pakatan, have no wisdom and political will to bring real change and reform.
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We do not vote gerakan for the damage done in penang making its one race unipolar.
IT? millions of jobs?
For who????
gerakan K, you are just like others in gerakan who dont know why poor malays dont vote gerakan in ge2008.
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Gerakan K
sudah lah…parti anda dah mampus.
kami dah bosan dgn gerakan tidur sekatil dgn umno past 38years. apa yang ada sekarang adalah kerosakan gerakan terhadap Melayu Penang.
Elok ktk keluar penang je.
Tak malu, elok taj payah jadi senator, sampai PM kena masukkan Idris.
ktk hanya tau bodek, bodek…
Boleh belah Gerakan.
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Gerakan K
Kenapa takut Msia jadi islamic state?
Takut tak dapat rasuah, tangan dipotong ke?
Anda jahil dan kolot tak tahu apa itu Islam.
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Musnahkan kampung melayu atas nama electronics.
Visi yang chong eu ingat bijak tetapi kami melayu
bersuara dalam ge2008.
Gerakan K, anda boleh belah dgn ktk kelau je dari Penang. ktk, … tak tunai janji.
belah!!
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