Jun 9, 2009

State pledges to resolve High Chaparral dispute

Kampung Buah Pala residents appeal for help recently from the Pakatan Rakyat-led state government in a dispute with a cooperative and developing firm. File Photo.

GEORGE TOWN: The state government is not washing its hands of the dispute involving 300 residents of Kampung Buah Pala, Koperasi Pegawai Kerajaan Pulau Pinang Bhd and Nusmetro Ventures (P) Sdn Bhd.

Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy said: “The Court of Appeal has made a decision in favour of the developer and the residents have also applied for a stay of execution to delay carrying out the eviction order, so the state government cannot interfere.”

The court, on May 11, ordered the residents to vacate the 2.6ha land in Kampung Buah Pala to make way for an apartment project by Nusmetro Ventures.

Ramasamy, who spoke to reporters after the launch of Acumen Scientific Sdn Bhd by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, added: “But, we will not wash our hands off the matter.

“We will meet with the residents, the cooperative, and the developer soon to try to find an amicable solution.”

The residents, involved in the dispute over the 2.6ha site, better known as Penang’s High Chaparral, claimed that Indian immigrants working in estates during British rule had established the village more than 100 years ago.

The villagers also claimed foul play in the transfer of the land from the state to the cooperative in March 2008.

Approval for the apartment project was given by the previous state government.