By PRIYA MENON | Dec 16, 2009
Negotiation bears fruit for residents in Kampung Tanah Lapang
AFTER nearly two hours of tense negotiation, the residents of Kampung Tanah Lapang, Sentul, have been given a one- week extension, after which they have to move out.
Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) officers were present at the site yesterday to demolish the houses at the 100-year-old squatter area.
However, some of the residents blocked the entry point with cars and requested for a discussion on a possible extension.
The residents headed by the village head N. Manikam asked the officers for an extension till Chinese New Year next year mainly for their Chinese neighbours.
The City Hall officers were initially reluctant to grant any extension since three extensions had been given in the past.
The officers wanted to demolish the empty houses, where the occupants had accepted the low-cost units offered by City Hall at the nearby Batu Muda flats.
Manikam said such action would affect the electricity and water supply since the houses were linked.
“The government has gazetted this land to be developed into a green area.
“We are suggesting that the land be handed to us and we will develop it and care for the area,” said Manikam.
Later Batu MP Tian Chua, who showed up during the discussion, managed to secure the one-week extension with two conditions, with the help of the MIC Batu division and representatives from the Indian Progressive Front (IPF).
The two conditions were that those who had received the keys will have to move out next week while the Chinese residents will be given till Chinese New Year next tear.
Once it was agreed upon, City Hall deputy director of operations Salim Mansor and chief of operation Osman Ismail retreated with the officers.
“Tian Chua has promised there will be no compromise next week and they have given their word to move out,” said Osman.
Out of the 68 families in the area, only eight did not receive any offers for the low-cost units. So far, 20 families had moved out.
“Those who have accepted the keys will have to move out. I will discuss the fate of those who have not been offered a unit as soon as possible,” said Tian Chua.
He added that the next course of action was for the residents to seek an injunction to fight their case but Tian Chua admitted there would be a risk involved.
He said in the event the residents lose the court battle, they might not even get the low-cost units.
Tian Chua said they would try and have another meeting with Federal Territories and Urban Well-Being Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin and his deputy, Datuk M. Saravanan.
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