Thursday, December 3, 2009

Flats residents see red over report

What say you on the issue below?

RESIDENTS of the four-storey flats in Kampung Kerinchi, Kuala Lumpur are angry over recent reports stating that 90% of flat dwellers have agreed to move out of their homes.

The report quoted Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin as saying that these residents have agreed to temporarily relocate to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) flats.

The newly-formed Action Committee chairman, Hashim Selim, said only 260 residents had agreed to move out while the rest were still waiting for suitable compensation.

He said this during a press conference held at Block L of the flats with Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar and Human Rights party secretary-general P. Uthayakumar who is their legal adviser.

“We only have a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) stating that we will receive a home in replacement and rental paid for the DBKL flats for three years,” said Hashim.

He and the rest of the residents are questioning the rental payment period.

“The residents are concerned that they will have to bear the rental if the said redevelopment takes longer than three years to complete,” he added.

During the press conference which took place on Dec 2, other residents were gathered at another block to listen to a briefing by DBKL officers regarding the flats being offered to them.

Longtime resident Ibrahim Wahab, 60, is angry over the temporary relocation to the Kerinchi and Sri Chempaka flats.

“I bought this house and I have even completed the payment for it. Where will I go to during my old age after retirement? I can’t afford to pay rental,” he said.

Another resident, who sells newspaper near the flats, Norhayati Haron, 50, said those who were willing to move were not looking at the bigger picture.

“Here we have everything. Public transport is readily available and we do not have parking problems either. The rest just want to move because they see a bigger house with more rooms,” she said.

Zainon Huda, 62, on the other hand said she would rather move into a bigger home with better facilities.

“My family is growing bigger and I can’t stay alone.

“That is why my daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren live with me,” she said.

The flats were developed by the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) and were ready in 1970.

Residents were later allowed to buy the flats. According to the sale and purchase agreement, the deed and title will be given to residents once all payment had been made.

However in 2006, residents were asked to move out to make way for redevelopment of the project.

No information has been given to the residents when they approached PKNS for details of the redevelopment.

Uthayakumar said nothing in the sale and purchase agreement says that a future development will take place on the land.

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