While thousands of Penangites ushered in the new year with revelry and fireworks, the occasion was a sombre affair for some 300 people, including many senior citizens, who are faced with eviction to make way for a housing project.

The 49 families from Jalan Rambai, Paya Terubong who received their eviction notices recently are asking the developer to reconsider the action and negotiate with the residents' association.

Although describing the eviction as a "very bad new year gift", a number of families some have lived there for more than 30 years are willing to relocate but say that the monetary compensation offered is inadequate.

"We were told to accept RM5,000 only and leave by the year end. It was a sort of warning. The developer told us to take it or see them in court," said Jalan Rambai residents association committee member Goh Siong Kim, 46.

"Since then, we could not eat or sleep. We are poor people and notice letters about the eviction have been coming and going. We really need help," he added when met recently.

Residents demonstrate

On Dec 28, the residents, led by Goh, staged a demonstration in Jalan Rambai and were accompanied by their lawyer Cheah Kah Peng and his partner Jason Ong Khan Lee. Cheah is Penang Keadilan deputy chief while Ong heads the party's state legal bureau.

The residents are peeved because the tenure for the 99-year lease hold of their properties has not expired as the land deal begun only in 1972.

Residents who have been invited by the developer to cultivate the land are also upset as they have been told that their rentals would be increased from the present RM5 to RM1,500 monthly.

Paya Terubong state assembly representative Dr Loh Hock Hun has met the affected residents but the latter say that he has failed to provide any satisfactory answers prompting them to seek legal redress.

Empty promises

Meanwhile, Cheah said such cases are rampant in Penang and the government is "fond of making empty promises" especially during general elections about compensation and alternative housing for families facing eviction.

The Keadilan leader urged the state authority to step in as the ones affected are those from the working class who are defenceless in the face of eviction and legal threats.

"This is clearly a case of victimisation of the weaker segment of society, especially the elderly, who are unable to defend themselves," he said.

"Many promises are made, development will come and go, but the promises of alternative housing is a letdown," he added.

His partner argued that the residents, in accordance to civil law legislation should get in return what they had paid for when purchasing the land.

Ong added that Keadilan would mobilise a signature campaign and send a memorandum to Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

"This is something we cannot resolve overnight but I am confident we will come up with something to help the residents," he said.

Over the past few years, many have been forced to evacuate their homes to make way for development projects in Penang.

One such development project which has attracted much flak and media attention is the RM1.2 billion Penang Outer Ring Road Project (PORR), touted as the "most expensive highway in the country".