GEORGE TOWN: Residents of Kampung Mutiara near Batu Ferringhi and supporters came out to protest the demolition of the village, scheduled to take place today (Monday).
The small road leading to the village was blocked with tree logs, concrete pillars and a few vehicles, including a four-wheel drive and a multi-purpose vehicle.
A banner which read "the traditional village will be lost and Kampung Mutiara residents will be chased out by the landowner" was placed across the logs.
Aside from the villagers, Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari, Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu, Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim and the Penang Chief Minister's information officer Major Zaidi Ahmad were at the site.
The Kampung Mutiara villagers obtained a temporary reprieve on Dec 29 when the demolition exercise was postponed for a month after a discussion with the police and a court registrar.
It was reported that the landowner, Peter Loke, had bought the 1.4ha plot in 1991 at a court auction for an undisclosed price and launched legal proceedings to seek vacant possession in 2007.
There are between 40 and 60 homes on the land.
The villagers said they have lived there for almost 30 years. They are also asking the developer to build new houses for them as compensation.
No comments:
Post a Comment