PENANG, Sept 14 — The demolition of Kampung Buah Pala has begun this morning, with the presence of riot police. The remaining residents at the site were muted except for an attempted self-immolation episode towards noontime.
17 houses have been demolished so far
A long time resident M. Indrani, 60, — just when the third house of the day was to be brought down — poured kerosene over herself and almost lit a match before other residents stopped her before dragging her away.
As early as 7am approximately 100 police personnel — with a mobile police base — set camp for the events to follow. All entry points were manned, in order to prevent outsiders entering.
There was a discussion inside the mobile police base, involving court bailiff, developer and village reps.
According to Bernama, Northeast police district chief ACP Azam Abdul Hamid commented, “Before this the developer had given time to the residents to move and today demolition of 17 houses will continue.
“The residents did ask for a time extension but the court and developer decided on demolition today,”
At 11am, after TNB cut-off power supply, the demolition proper commenced.
Nusmetro Ventures, the developer, restated its offer of compensation to those residents who have not taken up their previous offer of a double-storey home worth RM125,000. However the residents have to process their application through the Penang government.
Chairman of the Kampung Buah Pala Resident Association, M. Sugumaran told Bernama “In the discussions with the developer and the court we asked for time for us to move but the answer given was very disappointing,” he said.
MI
14/09/09
17 houses have been demolished so far
A long time resident M. Indrani, 60, — just when the third house of the day was to be brought down — poured kerosene over herself and almost lit a match before other residents stopped her before dragging her away.
As early as 7am approximately 100 police personnel — with a mobile police base — set camp for the events to follow. All entry points were manned, in order to prevent outsiders entering.
There was a discussion inside the mobile police base, involving court bailiff, developer and village reps.
According to Bernama, Northeast police district chief ACP Azam Abdul Hamid commented, “Before this the developer had given time to the residents to move and today demolition of 17 houses will continue.
“The residents did ask for a time extension but the court and developer decided on demolition today,”
At 11am, after TNB cut-off power supply, the demolition proper commenced.
Nusmetro Ventures, the developer, restated its offer of compensation to those residents who have not taken up their previous offer of a double-storey home worth RM125,000. However the residents have to process their application through the Penang government.
Chairman of the Kampung Buah Pala Resident Association, M. Sugumaran told Bernama “In the discussions with the developer and the court we asked for time for us to move but the answer given was very disappointing,” he said.
MI
14/09/09
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