A group of residents from Kampung Baru Sedenak, Kulai, Johor have delivered a petition to Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai demanding allowance as the graves of their ancestors may be moved by the authorities.

They are demanding for higher compensation as 130 graves of their ancestors may be moved to make way for the Gemas-Johor Bahru electrified double tracking rail project (EDTP).

Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching said the residents of Kampung Baru Sedenak also wanted to know why the RM3.64 million dollar project was not contracted through an open tender.

Hock Hiang Funeral Corporation, the company contracted to carry out the works, has offered a compensation of RM 1,200 for every grave that has to be moved.

Teo ( photo ) says the amount is too low as the price of conducting prayers and moving a grave to a new location is closer to RM6,000 according to the market prices.

Although they do not object to the EDTP, she said the residents wanted a higher amount of compensation to enable them to relocate the graves in a suitable way by themselves.

She adds that as the contract is worth RM3.64 million to Hock Hiang Funeral Corporation, it would mean that each grave was allocated RM28,000.

"The actual value of their work is around RM6,000, leaving them with a profit of RM22,000 per grave which is exorbitant.

"The contract is worth RM3.64 million, so why was it not done through open tender?

"What was the deal that took place between Transport Minister Liow Liong Tai and Hock Hiang Funeral Corporation?" Teo asked.

Handled unprofessionally

According to Teo, if the next-of-kin refused to accept the RM1,200, the company would offer the option of burying the ashes of their ancestors in smaller plots in the same graveyard at an area not be affected by the project.

"The other option is to move the ashes to the Tionghua Columbarium in Johor Bahru.

"The proposed location (in Johor Bahru) is about 45 minutes or one hour away from Kulai which is inconvenient for the descendants," she said.

Teo added that according to the Companies Commission, Hock Hiang Funeral Corporation has a paid-up capital of only RM150,000 and has failed to declare its annual returns for the past five years since 2010.

She added the whole issue had been handled unprofessionally and that the residents were only informed on June 1 even though plans for the EDTP began last year.

She said there has been no action thus far by the authorities to resolve the matter.

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