'Racist' relocation plan by Kepong Umno under fire

By Teoh El Sen

KUALA LUMPUR: Jinjang Utara Rumah Panjang residents are unhappy over what they claim is a 'racist' relocation plan by Kepong Umno which neglected the other races.

Last Friday, Utusan Malaysia reported that 300 Malay residents would be moved to the Kepong PPR (People's housing project) by January.

It quoted Kepong division head, senator Rizuan Abdul Hamid, who expressed gratitude to Federal Territories Minister Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin for approving the relocation.

Kepong Community Service Centre head Yee Poh Ping said that residents in the area are unhappy with the move by Umno Kepong.

"Usually the local authorities will send out notices, hold discussions and dialogues with residents before coming to a decision on how to relocate the residents," said Yee.

"The blue-coloured application forms to enable them to shift to Kepong PPR were distributed to only Umno members in the area by the Kepong Umno division," he added.

Yee wants Raja Nong Chik, DBKL mayor Ahmad Fuad Ismail and Rizuan to clarify and explain the matter to the residents.

"What really is their plan? You cannot simply defend the rights of Malays as this is an area comprising all races.

"I believe that the 948 units in Kepong PPR has already been allocated to people who are not from this area. How can there be 300 Malay residents shifting there?" asked Yee.

T Prakash, chairman of the Jinjang Utara Rumah Panjang Residents' Association, said he believed Umno was trying to win votes in Kepong.

"Rizuan wants to show that he is a hero to the Malays, but the Chinese and Indians here are also voters. I have always voted for BN," said Prakash. We can't just divide this place by race."

Plan not approved

He added that when he checked with Raja Nong Chik's office, he found out that the plan has yet to get approval from the ministry.

Sa Lly (left), 42, a long-time resident said:"We want a real 1Malaysia and we must shift together, why are the Malays getting the forms but not us?"

Another resident L Shanti (below), 40, said: "Just because Umno is a Malay party, they can't do this. These are City Hall homes, we follow the instructions of the DBKL and not any political party."

It was understood that a meeting would be held between residents' representatives, City Hall and Federal Territories ministry soon on the matter.

When contacted, Rizuan said the residents got it all wrong. "Don't just say things without checking the facts," he said.

"Kepong has 998 units, and 678 have already been occupied by 90% Chinese and the rest by Indians and just few Malays.

"I requested Raja Nong Chik balance this out by putting in 265 more Malays from the Rumah Panjang and the other areas in Kepong," said Ridzuan.

"As an Umno division leader I have to fight for the Malays. We have 3,000 Malay voters in Kepong and there are 60,000 Chinese voters. Where would they go if I don't fight for them?"

On allegations that the forms were only given to Umno members, Rizuan replied: "Of course. I must find those who are Umno supporters. I only offered forms to Umno people," he said.