By BAVANI M
bavanim@thestar.com.my
Photo by S.S.KANESAN | Aug 5, 2010
A reprieve at the eleventh hour
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Face-off: Representatives for the residents talking to the officers from DBKL.
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FAMILIES from the Ladang Bukit Jalil Estate got a reprieve at the eleventh hour from being evicted from their homes by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) yesterday.
They were supposed to move out after their Aug 3 deadline expired.
Anticipating a showdown, about 200 people comprising former estate workers, their families including members of Hindraf, NGO’s Jerit (Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas), Suara Rakyat Malaysia’s (Suaram) and the Federal Territories and Selangor Community Association (Permas) gathered at the entrance of the estate at 7am yesterday carrying banners and placards protesting the eviction order.
A tractor was used to block the only entry point of the estate and former estate workers formed a human chain in front of the tractor shouting the words DBKL Kejam in front of the watchful eyes of DBKL enforecement officers and police.
At about 9.30am, DBKL deputy director (services) Datuk Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz arrived at the scene to advise the families to move out and to take up the offer and move to nearby PPR Kg Muhibbah.
Amin also promised the families that original offer letters to buy the units at PPR Muhibbah and letters to move in to the units are being drawn up then and there.
When asked about the promises made by the Human Resources Ministry in regards to the former estate workers and legal beneficiaries of the deceased former estate workers claims for compensation, outstanding salaries and EPF which have not been resolved yet, Amin Nordin said:
“That is not our jurisdiction. My job is to give out the offer letters and ensure that the families move into their units safely. Anyone who want to view the units can do so now and I will personally show it to them,’’ Amin Nordin said.
“We (DBKL) have postponed the eviction order today and residents are given two days to move out. In fact, our lorries are on standby to help them move.’’ he added.
When asked what if the residents refused to move, Amin Nordin said then DBKL would have no choice but to evict them.
Former estate workers are unhappy that matters concerning compensation and housing have not been resolved despite promises made by the Federal Territories and Urban Well Being Ministry and the Human Resources Ministry.
Ladang Bukit Jalil Action Committee secretary S. Thilagan said the Human Resources Ministry should not wash its hands of the plight of the estate workers by passing the buck to DBKL.
“We are estate workers and not squatters hence our case should be dealt by the Human Resources Ministry under its policy on displaced estate workers,’’ he said.
Resident S. Thiakarajah said City Hall was labelling the former estate workers as squatters and wanted them to take up the PPR housing scheme.
‘’Once we take it, we will be given RM1,000 and automatically lose our rights as former estate workers,’’ he said.
It was earlier reported that in a meeting between the residents and Amin Nordin on Monday, Bandar Tun Razak MP Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim’s special representative Azman Abidin said the local authority would postpone demolition of the houses at the estate.
The letter also stated DBKL had
received orders from the Federal Territories and Urban WellBeing Deputy Minister Datuk M. Saravanan that the next course of action would only be taken after a discussion between the ministers for the Federal Territories and Urban Well-Being Ministry and the Human Resource Ministry.
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