Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng claims that the government he leads has not driven out a single person from Kampung Buah Pala or Kampung Pokok Asam, despite court orders.

He said in the case of Kampung Buah Pala, the state government has managed to resolve the villagers' woes by getting the developer Nusmetro Venture Sdn Bhd to agree to build 24 units of double storey terrace houses for them.

He reiterated that the residents have all the while been depending on temporary occupied licenses and the land was seized by the BN government for private projects.

NONE"The privatisation contract was officiated by the (former) Deputy Chief Minister, who was from Umno," said Lim (left), during his winding up speech at the 2011 state budget sitting of the Penang state legislature assembly.

"So don't act like a hero when it is the Pakatan Rakyat government which has resolved what is in truth was Umno's insolence," he added.
"Please be reminded that it was the developer who through a court order and not the state government who acted upon the residents; the state has until today not driven out a single person," he added.

 No compensation yet cry affected families

However, nine of the 33 families affected by the project, have claimed that they have yet to receive any compensation from the developer, or help, from the state government.

NONEThey are currently living in rented premises, while continuing their struggle to get better compensation for moving out of their homes.
The 6.5 acres of land, once known as Penang Tamils High Chaparral due to its long history of cattle breeding, is currently making way for a posh condominium project, called Oasis.

Lim said a similar situation currently exists for the residents of Kampung Pokok Asam, where the developer recently obtained a court order to evict them.

He said the development in the area was on private land, however, the state was concerned over the matter and continues to negotiate with the developer for an amicable resolution benefiting all parties.

"Up till now, not one person has been evicted although there is a court order (for the residents) to leave the land because the state continues to manage the problem," said Lim.


NONE"We must find a win-win solution which is acceptable to all parties and not make unreasonable demands like Umno which did not lift a finger in the past but now talks nonsense," he added.

Lim said he regretted that there were some residents seeking opportunities by issuing statements in the media in contradiction to the decision agreed upon by all parties during negotiations.