Penang gov't steps in, as estate workers face eviction
Susan LoonePublished: Sep 3, 2013 2:14 AM | Updated: Sep 3, 2013 6:45 AM
The Penang government is in the process of negotiating “a better option” for residents on Ladang Batu Kawan, who face eviction from their homes.
The Penang government is in the process of negotiating “a better option” for residents on Ladang Batu Kawan, who face eviction from their homes.
Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy (right) acknowledged that they had been issued eviction notices in mid-August, giving them two weeks to vacate their houses.
However, he said negotiations are in progress with the state-owned Penang Development Corporation (PDC), which sent out the notice.
"We are discussing the possibility of arranging rent and purchasing units for the disgruntled residents," Ramasamy said when asked to comment on the issue.
"Although they have received the eviction letters, they were not warned that water and electricity supply would be cut off if they fail to comply with the notice.”
Ramasamy, the former Batu Kawan MP, said 53 of the 63 families on the estates had refused to vacate the land because they want better compensation from the PDC.
Since then, 23 families have been offered rent-to-purchase housing units, 25 have bought houses from the PDC, and five have been offered low-cost units, he said.
"However, the fate of the remaining 10 families has yet to be decided, as they are not former workers of the estate. But we will help them on humanitarian grounds,” he said.
In 1991, the PDC had acquired the estate from Taiko Plantations, with plans to redevelop the area for commercial use.
On July 31, the Batu Kawan cattle breeders’ association had submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, expressing concern about the plan, as it could "wipe us out".
Ramasamy then said the PDC had offered the livestock farmers 17 acres of land and that negotiations were going on.
The DAP’s Batu Kawan MP Kasturirani Pattoo has noted that the outcome looked optimistic for the group.
‘DAP leaders are outsiders’
However, Gerakan Batu Kawan Youth chief Puspanathan Jayaveloo said the problem would not have arisen if the state had listened to the residents in the first place.
He accused the state government of being "arrogant and stubborn" in not coming up with an amicable solution.
"If 700 acres of the land can be allocated for development projects such as a theme park and golf resort, as reported in the media, why not (give land to) the locals?" asked Puspanathan, in a statement.
"The local community, which has been living on the estate for generations, has only requested for land to continue their goat and cow breeding business. Why neglect and ignore them?"
Puspanathan described Lim, Ramasamy and Kasturirani as "outsiders who do not understand the needs of local people".
He also criticised the DAP leaders for failing to provide additional land for a Tamil school on the estate.
Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy (right) acknowledged that they had been issued eviction notices in mid-August, giving them two weeks to vacate their houses.However, he said negotiations are in progress with the state-owned Penang Development Corporation (PDC), which sent out the notice.
"We are discussing the possibility of arranging rent and purchasing units for the disgruntled residents," Ramasamy said when asked to comment on the issue.
"Although they have received the eviction letters, they were not warned that water and electricity supply would be cut off if they fail to comply with the notice.”
Ramasamy, the former Batu Kawan MP, said 53 of the 63 families on the estates had refused to vacate the land because they want better compensation from the PDC.
Since then, 23 families have been offered rent-to-purchase housing units, 25 have bought houses from the PDC, and five have been offered low-cost units, he said.
"However, the fate of the remaining 10 families has yet to be decided, as they are not former workers of the estate. But we will help them on humanitarian grounds,” he said.
In 1991, the PDC had acquired the estate from Taiko Plantations, with plans to redevelop the area for commercial use.
On July 31, the Batu Kawan cattle breeders’ association had submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, expressing concern about the plan, as it could "wipe us out".
Ramasamy then said the PDC had offered the livestock farmers 17 acres of land and that negotiations were going on.
The DAP’s Batu Kawan MP Kasturirani Pattoo has noted that the outcome looked optimistic for the group.
‘DAP leaders are outsiders’
However, Gerakan Batu Kawan Youth chief Puspanathan Jayaveloo said the problem would not have arisen if the state had listened to the residents in the first place.
He accused the state government of being "arrogant and stubborn" in not coming up with an amicable solution.
"If 700 acres of the land can be allocated for development projects such as a theme park and golf resort, as reported in the media, why not (give land to) the locals?" asked Puspanathan, in a statement.
"The local community, which has been living on the estate for generations, has only requested for land to continue their goat and cow breeding business. Why neglect and ignore them?"
Puspanathan described Lim, Ramasamy and Kasturirani as "outsiders who do not understand the needs of local people".
He also criticised the DAP leaders for failing to provide additional land for a Tamil school on the estate.
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