GEORGE TOWN: The remaining residents of Kampung Buah Pala watched in anguish as one of the access roads into their village was sealed off by the developer, Nusmetro Ventures Sdn Bhd.
An excavator started digging the access road leading from Jalan Bunga Raya into Jalan Kaki Bukit at about 3.50pm yesterday, causing some of the residents who were inside their homes removing their belongings to rush out.
But unlike previous times when they used to protest, the residents just watched the workers do their job.
Several cars which were seen using Jalan Kaki Bukit as a shortcuto get to Jalan Bunga Raya had to make a U-turn upon seeing the closed-off road.
Closed off: An excavator digging the access road leading from Jalan Bunga Raya into Jalan Kaki Bukit at about 3.50pm Tuesday. Milkman K. Udayakumaran, 55, who has been taking delivery of cow’s milk from the village for the past 38 years, said it would be difficult for him to get his supply of milk if the access roads into the village were closed.
“It would be sad to see the village demolished because the cows here produce more than 300 litres of fresh milk daily. It’s the biggest supplier for George Town,” he said.
The five-month stand-off between the villagers, deemed as squatters by the courts, and the developer came to an end on Monday when the remaining houses were demolished to make way for a high-rise residential project by Nusmetro.
Nusmetro’s director Gary Ho claimed the company had the approval of the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) to seal off the road.
“When construction starts, the other entrance from Jalan Yeap Chor Ee into Jalan Kaki Bukit may also be closed because it will be hazardous for cars to pass by,” he said.
Asked why the residents had not received any notices about the closure of the road, Ho said “the land now belongs to the co-operative and the residents are considered trespassers”.
Council president Tan Cheng Chui said he was not aware of any approval given to Nusmetro.
“I have instructed my office to check. If they have broken the law, action can be taken against them,’’ he said.
Residents association chairman M. Sugumaran said he and 12 other villagers lodged separate police reports at the Jelutong police station from 6pm onwards on Monday.
Sugumaran said the reports were lodged against the court bailiff and the police for the demolition, as the court order was for vacant possession only.
Residents association secretary J. Steven said he would continue to stay there although his house had no proper roof.
“I have nowhere to go. I went to two places (yesterday) and I called up a few landlords after spotting their advertisements, but when I mentioned that I was from Kampung Buah Pala they said they’d call me tomorrow,” he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment