In a move detrimental to themselves, Kampung Buah Pala residents have rejected the double-storey house and temple offer from developer Nusmetro Ventures (P) Sdn Bhd as way out of the long-standing eviction impasse.
“The offer letter says that if the developer is unable to get planning and building approval from the relevant authorities, the deal is immediately null and void and the residents will be unable to make any claim on it,” said residents’ association chairman M Sugumaran.
“That means even if we agree, it may not be approved and we end up with nothing and cannot take any action against the developer. Would you sign a deal like this?”
Yet to many industry experts, their rationale for rejecting the offer was frivolous and ill-advised.
The 12noon August 7 deadline for the villagers to shift out from their homes has now passed.
But although Nusmetro did not immediately send any demolition teams to tear down the mostly wooden houses, the firm is also unlikely to extend the deadline much further.
A threat by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to revoke Nusmetro’s development approval will not be able to save the village either. While canceling the approval means Nusmetro will no longer be able to build the high-end condominiums it plans, it can still go ahead and evict the villagers.
It is expected to do so and then seek alternative solutions for the land-owner Koperasi Pegawai Kerajaan Pulau Pinang Bhd.
Holding out for more
Earlier this week, Guan Eng handed out Nusmetro’s letter to the residents offering to build a new 1,200 sq ft double-storey terrace house on village land as replacement for each of the 24 homes to be demolished.
Building plans (click video below) furnished by Nusmetro showed house designs that were quite generously-proportioned, modern and pleasing to the eye.
But the villagers wanted more. According to them, there are over 40 families living in Kampung Buah Pala although there are only 24 houses standing because many were extended families.
Nevertheless, it is unlikely that Nusmetro will raise its offer any further. It has been reported that monetary compensation of as much as RM200,000 has been paid in the past. Most of the residents have already accepted compensation and left the village.
This is the last group of residents who have refused to shift despite the latest and highest offer. They plan to hold out for more.
Said Guan Eng: “If they do not want to take up the offer and want to continue to be used by irresponsible elements including one or two villagers, then there is nothing much the state government can do.
“I urge them to exercise rational thinking and to work together with this state government which is trying to help them by giving them a legally binding title for 99 years.”
“The offer letter says that if the developer is unable to get planning and building approval from the relevant authorities, the deal is immediately null and void and the residents will be unable to make any claim on it,” said residents’ association chairman M Sugumaran.
“That means even if we agree, it may not be approved and we end up with nothing and cannot take any action against the developer. Would you sign a deal like this?”
Yet to many industry experts, their rationale for rejecting the offer was frivolous and ill-advised.
The 12noon August 7 deadline for the villagers to shift out from their homes has now passed.
But although Nusmetro did not immediately send any demolition teams to tear down the mostly wooden houses, the firm is also unlikely to extend the deadline much further.
A threat by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to revoke Nusmetro’s development approval will not be able to save the village either. While canceling the approval means Nusmetro will no longer be able to build the high-end condominiums it plans, it can still go ahead and evict the villagers.
It is expected to do so and then seek alternative solutions for the land-owner Koperasi Pegawai Kerajaan Pulau Pinang Bhd.
Holding out for more
Earlier this week, Guan Eng handed out Nusmetro’s letter to the residents offering to build a new 1,200 sq ft double-storey terrace house on village land as replacement for each of the 24 homes to be demolished.
Building plans (click video below) furnished by Nusmetro showed house designs that were quite generously-proportioned, modern and pleasing to the eye.
But the villagers wanted more. According to them, there are over 40 families living in Kampung Buah Pala although there are only 24 houses standing because many were extended families.
Nevertheless, it is unlikely that Nusmetro will raise its offer any further. It has been reported that monetary compensation of as much as RM200,000 has been paid in the past. Most of the residents have already accepted compensation and left the village.
This is the last group of residents who have refused to shift despite the latest and highest offer. They plan to hold out for more.
Said Guan Eng: “If they do not want to take up the offer and want to continue to be used by irresponsible elements including one or two villagers, then there is nothing much the state government can do.
“I urge them to exercise rational thinking and to work together with this state government which is trying to help them by giving them a legally binding title for 99 years.”
SK
09/08/09
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