We are reading more cases being settled now, but the actual situation will be known when the projects are completed. We have seen many failures when the residents (labelled squatters) are promised houses, but end up living in rented premises or longhouses for up to two decades. Residents have a right to be scared or skeptical over the promises made by authorities, politicians and developers as the success stories are few. Hopefully the ex-Batu Estate residents will be a happy lot after this.
RESIDENTS of Batu Estate, Segambut will be given a fair deal at the end of two years of negotiations with the developer of the land, Mayland Development Sdn Bhd.
Deputy Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk M.Saravanan met with the residents on Thursday to announce the settlement fee agreed upon.
“The developer has agreed to pay RM2mil to all the residents, out of which RM200,000 will be given to the lawyer who took up the resident’s case,” Saravanan said.
Some 41 former estate workers will be given RM30,000 each while the 54 squatters who moved in later will receive RM10,000 per home.
Trust us: Han (left) and Saravanan (second from left) speaking to the residents during a briefing.
Saravanan said that as part of the deal, the residents were also given Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) low cost flats but the only ones available were at the Kampung Muhibbah flats in Puchong.
“We will not force the residents to move there but if they wish to wait, we can see if any of the reserve units in the flats around the Batu constituency are available,” he added.
He also asked the residents to celebrate Thaipusam and take the weekend to think over the offer before accepting or making any decisions.
Saravanan applauded the developer’s efforts in ensuring the people affected were compensated.
“They have not only taken in the assets but also the liabilities that came with the assets. It was not part of the original deal when they purchased the land but they have seen to it that all parties were happy,” he said.
Mayland Development Sdn Bhd legal counsel Han Seng Kwang said they saw the move as compassionate commercialism.
“We have to be patient with the people. If there are squatters next to our property, we cannot sell well so we believe we can enhance the value by doing this,” he said.
Han added that the company does not believe in reaping a fortune at other people’s expense. The buyers of the third and fourth phase of condominiums will feel good knowing that half of the purchase was used to help others.
“After the meeting I spoke to some of the residents and they do not earn much so a home nearby for them is necessary,” he said.
He also said the residents do not have to fear as they would pay the settlement as promised. Han said many were sceptical and afraid to sign the agreement for fear they would be cheated.
On the Kampung Railway issue in Sentul, Saravanan said he saw no reason why the developer would not build the low cost flats as it was part of the conditions set by the DBKL.
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