Raw deal for Irishs second home in Malacca
Kuek Ser Kuang KengPublished: Jul 1, 2005 11:20 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
The Tourism Ministry must intervene in an abuse of power case involving the Malacca state government before it jeopardises Malaysia's 'My Second Home' programme, said a DAP parliamentarian.
He bought a RM5 million house under the Silver Hair Programme in 2003. But to his ire the beach at the back of the bungalow was suddenly converted to Malay Customary Land.
The Tourism Ministry must intervene in an abuse of power case involving the Malacca state government before it jeopardises Malaysia's 'My Second Home' programme, said a DAP parliamentarian.
In her Parliamentary adjournment speech, Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) referred to the case of Irish national Rajandren Annamalai, who moved to Malaysia with his family from Dublin under the Silver Hair Programme in 2003.
She said Rajandren had bought a RM5 million bungalow along the beach in Klebang, Melaka, in 2002 in order to be qualified for the programme.
He had paid the land tax and quit rent including for the beach behind the bungalow - all together 9,000 square feet.
In October 2004, Rajandren was shocked by a person by the name Sidang Hassan who asked him to pay RM350,000 for the beach portion.
However, Rajandren refused because he believed that the plot already belonged to him since he had paid the quit rent.
Rajandren later discovered that the land status of the beach had been changed to Malay Customary Land (MCL) in April 2004, with the help from the local Umno branch and Klebang's Village Development and Security Committee, and the land premium was only RM1,400."This is how RM1,400 can be magically changed into RM350,000 in Malacca," lamented Rajandren.
Since then, construction work has started in the area including the felling of old trees while earthwork was done to increase the height of the plot by four feet. This proceeded without a proper building plan authorised by the town council.
The work had damaged the drains of Rajandren's bungalow and also blocked the entrance facing the beach.
State government notified
Responding, Minister of Tourism Dr Leo Michael Toyad said the problem regarding the land fell under the Malacca state government and notice had been sent to the state government about this problem.
Meanwhile, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng together with Rajandren held a press conference at the Parliament lobby later.
According to Rajandren, he was told by the town council that the land he owned is only 3,000 square feet, not including the beach, but he had paid the quit rent for 9,000 square feet.
"I am unhappy that the construction had blocked the sea view... We still like Malaysia and we have made many friends here. We hope the problem can be solved soon," said Rajandren.
He also said Malacca Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam had visited Rajandren on May 26 this year and promised to look into the matter but no action was taken so far.
In her Parliamentary adjournment speech, Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) referred to the case of Irish national Rajandren Annamalai, who moved to Malaysia with his family from Dublin under the Silver Hair Programme in 2003.
She said Rajandren had bought a RM5 million bungalow along the beach in Klebang, Melaka, in 2002 in order to be qualified for the programme.
He had paid the land tax and quit rent including for the beach behind the bungalow - all together 9,000 square feet.
In October 2004, Rajandren was shocked by a person by the name Sidang Hassan who asked him to pay RM350,000 for the beach portion.
However, Rajandren refused because he believed that the plot already belonged to him since he had paid the quit rent.
Rajandren later discovered that the land status of the beach had been changed to Malay Customary Land (MCL) in April 2004, with the help from the local Umno branch and Klebang's Village Development and Security Committee, and the land premium was only RM1,400."This is how RM1,400 can be magically changed into RM350,000 in Malacca," lamented Rajandren.
Since then, construction work has started in the area including the felling of old trees while earthwork was done to increase the height of the plot by four feet. This proceeded without a proper building plan authorised by the town council.
The work had damaged the drains of Rajandren's bungalow and also blocked the entrance facing the beach.
State government notified
Responding, Minister of Tourism Dr Leo Michael Toyad said the problem regarding the land fell under the Malacca state government and notice had been sent to the state government about this problem.
Meanwhile, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng together with Rajandren held a press conference at the Parliament lobby later.
According to Rajandren, he was told by the town council that the land he owned is only 3,000 square feet, not including the beach, but he had paid the quit rent for 9,000 square feet.
"I am unhappy that the construction had blocked the sea view... We still like Malaysia and we have made many friends here. We hope the problem can be solved soon," said Rajandren.
He also said Malacca Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam had visited Rajandren on May 26 this year and promised to look into the matter but no action was taken so far.
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