Govt's latest offer to ex-estate workers hits a snag

Former workers of Bukit Jalil estate yesterday rejected a fresh proposal by the government to resolve a 30-year relocation plan.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S Subramaniam's latest attempt at resolving their woes hit a snag when the workers refused to the accept the minister's offer.

City Hall acquired the 28-acre estate for development in the 1980s and as compensation, offered between RM6,000 and RM11,000 to each of the 93 families.

There were also offered low-cost flats in nearby Taman Muhibbah worth RM 80,000, at a 40 percent discount.

But after working for more than 50 years in the estate, the workers felt they deserved better and wanted houses instead.

While 51 of them have moved into the flats temporarily, the remaining families have refused to budge.

'Unreasonable offer'

K Balakrishnan, a committee member of the Bukit Jalil estate residence association, said that the workers are unhappy that the government has yet to come up with a satisfactory solution.

"The figures offered as compensation are unfair. The sum of RM6,000 is unreasonable considering that it has been 30 years since we were asked to move out," he said.

"The government is still keeping mum on other issues like a Tamil school promised for our children and a place of worship. We are staying put until these matters are sorted out.

"Although 51 families have moved to the flats temporarily, all 93 of us will not compromise on these issues," he added.

DPM's pledge

Balakrishnan said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Education Minister, announced that a piece of land had been demarcated for a Tamil school in Bukit Jalil.

"What happened to the school?" asked Balakrishnan. "The place allocated for the Tamil school in the KL 2020 draft is now occupied by a religious school."

"The MIC should explain how the land is now the property of another school, and what happened to the promises made by the Deputy Prime Minister," he added.

The meeting with the residents yesterday was also attended by Deputy Minister of Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing M Saravanan and enforcement officers from Kuala Lumpur City Hall.

courtesy of FreeMalaysiaToday