Kampung Tanjung Tokong residents are opposing a RM1 billion “mixed development” project managed by Uda Holdings that could affect their 200-year-old settlement.
Photo courtesy of Wartawan Rasmi Laman Reformasi
This project is clearly a legacy of BN rule, but how will the Pakatan administration handle it?
According to the residents association chairman, Mohd Salleh Yahaya, the village once had over 500 houses. Some of these households were relocated to the Tanjung Tokong flats before the project stalled in the 1990s – only to be revived now.
The kampung was down to 310 houses. Later, 45 households were resettled in transit housing not far from Island Plaza after being convinced by Uda promises.
The remaining 265 or so houses will be affected in phases by the Uda project.
So far, 60 of the 310 households have received a compensation offer of a flat measuring 800-850 sq ft.
“Uda does not want to engage in direct negotiations with the village committee but instead prefers to negotiate with the local Umno and a friendly village group,” lamented Salleh, when contacted.
Classic developer’s divide-and-rule tactics.
“Cikgu Salleh”, as he is better known, had turned up to express solidarity with the Buah Pala villagers during one of the demolition attempts.
Like the Buah Pala villagers, these villagers just want to protect and preserve their traditional settlement, which is home to over a thousand families.
Well Mr K,
I hope you have recovered from the fall off your chair and hope no injuries.
Well I repeat what I said that … “This is exactly as it happened in KBP where the state govt squeezed the hell out of the developer and got the best possible compensation for the residents.”
If you disagree, please put forward your arguments.
Take your time … I know we all have work to do.
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GH Kok,
Well, as the facts are so fuzzy, frankly, not sure how would be the best way of resolving issues. From my limited understanding, UDA has delayed delivering the project. Hence, in humblest opinion, UDA should either be sacked or armtwisted into doing more noble cause. A creation of Low/Middle Class Township. Public Housing
Like it or not, properties in the island is getting more & more expensive. Basically, it would be out of reach even for the middle class. The very reason of increasing the housing density in the island.
I always go according to the notion that Economy is paramount. My understanding of “Economy” means
1) Shelter/Housings
2) Jobs
Tanjong Tokong residents agreed to move so long the compensation. So, work towards it. Tabling a housing plan to make Penang affordable to everybody. This is a mark of socialism
Guess why I always say : Build Public Housing! Public Housing! Even medium cost apartments would be great. Talents from abroad would come back to kickstart Penang
GH Kok,
Perhaps I might be carried away with this. I hated the idea of simply preserving for the sake of preserving. Especially some of them are migrants too. Hence, would not be nice to share?
KBP village is a heritage….Really? Are they willing to share or it’s just another private property? Heritage is meant for everybody. Like Fort Cornwalis, people go in & enjoy it. You think you can go into KBP village home & stay. They say “To hell with it”…..See the difference
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Dear Anil,
G. Krishnan writes on Kg Buah Pala http://imagineequality.blogspot.com/2009/09/buah-umno-buah-pala.html
I agree entirely with him. I hope you can share this with other readers. Thanks.
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looes74,
exactly what I mentioned earlier. The whole situation is confusing. You have one group already accepted compensation and moved out, another group talking to UDA, and one more group wanting to talk to the PM. Therefore the residents do not all have the same opinion about wanting to stay back there. In the meantime, it appears that UDA controls the land (?) and therefore some CEO wearing his nice suit sitting in Jln Ampang in KL is deciding on the fate of the development of the land. That means the people of Penang is not having a say in this (?). So you guys can argue all you want about whether it is heritage or not, whether you want to turn it into public housing or private housing or whether it should be a tourist attraction (?) … why not ? … but we the people of Penang don’t seem to be in control of that decision since someone in KL is in control of the land (?). So I say the challenge is to take back control of that decision from the Feds (provided some Federal Court hasn’t closed the door on us).
Going to back to your comment about land-use, I never thought KBP is “heritage”, and neither do I think Tg Tokong is “heritage”. I think this picture of Tg Tokong as an idyllic setting of “people doing what they have been doing for the last 200 years” is not quite the way it is anymore, although I haven’t passed thru that place for many years now. People change over time as the society around them changes. Judging from Anil’s report above especially the photo, I see the place now being infested with people hell-bent on getting the best deal out of UDA, PM, UMNO, or even the state govt, in the name of heritage, justice, history or whatever, before they move out for good. They appear to be politically sophisticated. Their minds appear to be more shrewd and sophisticated than those of us who, in our minds, see an idyllic village of “simple” folks doing what they, and their ancestors, have been doing for the last 200 years.
Having said that, if the people of Penang decides to make use of the land for public housing or whatever, the proper thing to do is to ensure that the residents are properly taken care of. It is the duty of the state govt to obtain the best possible compensation for the residents and to ensure a smooth and caring transition for people who have to uproot themselves and start a new life somewhere else. For it would be meaningless to push out a group of people in the name of providing public housing for another group of people.
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watch this;
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Dear Anil,
It is interesting to run through your blog. Comments by many also having meaningful opinions, suggestions and to certain extent some are very unclear what the Tanjong Tokong villagers are seeking for.
Being someone born, grown up in that kampung at least up to form 5, left for further study, work in KL however the heart never dry to see the kampung development ie. with regular visits and involvement in local NGO for the sake of villagers rights, I am touched to participate in this forum.
Back in 1974, The Federal Gov. (during the leadership of late Tun Razak)decided to dev. Tg Tokong through UDA. Thus the State Gov. transfers the 48 acres of the said land at a token of RM 1.00 only. The traditional villagers are there for the last 200 years were declared as squaters through UDA’s Afidavit filed at Penang High Court on 10/12/2008. Are they doing justice to the villagers?
As mention through Penang’s Land Office letter ref. Bil: (44) dlm. PTG/PM/DTL/76 dated 13/2/1984 for the land transfer on condition “The land hereby alienated shall be used solely for the rehabilitation, reconstruction and renewal of Tanjung Tokong village”. Lawyers argued over the condition which not necessarily meant to revamp the village into totaly high rise housing/commercial projects. Can’t we consider to rehabilate, reconstruct and renew the kampung into a more presentable image that could be a living heritage with tourism touch, village industries, homestay etc? If we could maintained (definitely with some improvement) Weld Quay and Little India as they are, why not Tg Tokong village (ie. the oldest village at the brinch of George Town)?
Knowingly UDA had been rewarded another 52 acres of coastal reclaimed land (adjacent to E & O’s Sri Tanjong Pinang Dev) by the previous State Gov. where high ends condominiums, terrace houses (under constructions) and commercial complex (in planning stage), UDA should also build the low and medium cost flats within that area to ease the real squaters and new young families who reside in Tanjong Tokong Village. Isn’t it an option to solve the problem?
The new PR Gov. through several meetings and presentations
had been made, even to LGE, on the Tanjong Tokong villagers (not the real squaters or import residents) aspiration through Persatuan Penduduk Tg Tokong. Having saying that, during BN’s ruled Gov. Memorundums submitted and several meetings resulted in delaying the projects but real voice of Tanjong Tokong residents are not ‘properly’ heard.
Next step, without neglecting PR Stae Gov. assistance and cooperation, to seek the audience with the late Tun Razak’s son for his consideration on Persatuan Penduduk Tg Tokong proposals through new memorundum to be submitted soon.
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That piece of lot each cost almost RM 1 million. Imagine that and compensation that the kampong people will get or will not get is only a meager. This land was given to the kampong peoiple in exchange for the british who took their property in the upper hillside of tanjong tokong when they reside there. At least the british had that courtesy to reclaim the coastal land in exchange and giving back to the kampong people under TOL ordinance which should be given to the people their grant but did not happen to be.
where is UDA now and then. It previously was designated to help and assist the malays but now even change from ‘perbadanan’ to ‘holdings’ which explain that its interest is to make money and more money without caring for the rakyat. … to least if they were to consider about anything except making money to fill up their belly. Soon UDA will be dismantel into another portfolio and they want to close the deal to catch in on their shares. How much will these few people get and how much will the kampong get. They will get millions and the kampong will get ‘masuk angin keluar asap’. who cares for that matter, its another tragedy, in thye end another sad story. For the political … they will remain as such, still a hot air balloon no empathy for other only themselves and their political gains. whom are these people to trust except their dignity and work diehard that if they win it is a victory and if they lose it is a triumph that they fought a lonely battle as heros against mongers and cowards.
Last words Dato Hilmi Rashid the chairman for UDA make a stupid and fools of himself when recently we incur a conversation with him and he said (in malay) kami nak keluarkan penduduk tanjong tokong drp duduk dalam acak. … Tanah yang mereka katakan acak itu harganya satu juta satu lot. Kalau acak tak payah ambil la. pi cari tempat lain. berapa banyak mereka akan perolehi drp duit tanjong tokong apabila UDA di mansuhkankan tak lama lagi atau ditukar kpd pegangan lain.
Semua akan me3ndapat habuan drp perniagaan haramm, makan duit haraam orang kampung yang mereka halalkan. … Allah persaksikanlah rosak binasalah pekerjaan mereka dan jadikanlah habuan yang mereka dapat itu sia sia didunia…
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The main concern is that UDA has not given any black and white regarding compesations n relocation plans.
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