The Public Complaints Bureau (PCB) today allegedly refused to accept a complaint from residents of Kampung Baru Plentong Tengah, Johor Bahru.

Even the presence of Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) commissioner N Siva Subramaniam could not persuade the bureau to accept the complaint.

Advisor to the residents' action committee group, Syed Othman Syed Abdullah, who made the allegation, also confirmed that Siva was present at the bureau's branch office in Johor Bahru.

According to Syed Othman, the complaint was not accepted on the grounds that "PCB was not informed earlier" and "the lack of a written complaint".

Malaysiakini could not reach PCB assistant director Abdul Karim Atan, who met with the commissioner, for comment.

However another officer who declined to be named said PCB will issue a statement on the matter soon.

Seorang pegawai wanita, yang enggan mendedahkan namanya, berkata BPA akan mengeluarkan kenyataan berhubung isu ini secepat mungkin.

mtuc suhakam memo 240205 sivasubramaniam Siva and five representatives of the Kampung Baru Plentong Tengah Welfare Association spent an hour at the branch office without being able to lodge a complaint.

Syed Othman also informed Malaysiakini that none of the five representatives met the PCB officials in person. PCB's refusal to meet them was conveyed via Siva.

"In that one hour, we were only faced with disappointment as no decision was made,” said the Johor PAS liaison committee member.

No appointment made

Contacted later, Siva confirmed that no appointment was made between the bureau and Suhakam to discuss the issue of Kampung Baru Plentong Tengah residents being relocated to Bukit Dagang.

Siva stated that he was present to submit details of the residents grouses regarding their relocation to Bukit Dagang, located some 50km away from Kampung Baru Plentong Tengah.

In addition, he said the bureau also confirmed receiving a complaint regarding the relocation previously. A check revealed that the complaint was filed 10 years ago.

Siva said an investigation conducted by the bureau revealed that the complainant had not submitted an application for a new house.

In a related development, Siva and a group of residents are scheduled to meet Johor Menteri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman at 3pm.

Among other issues to be raised, is compensation for the affected residents. The residents have also requested for assistance regarding preparations to send their children to school, as the new term will begin in two weeks.