It looks like the drama is finally reaching the last episode, for now. I read articles from Star, NST, and Malaysiakini, and still don’t understand what’s happening. Each paper wrote its own version. Only thing clear is that the residents seems to have accepted the compensation package of a double storey house of 1400 sqft and RM8000 shifting cost.

NST report:

The Kampung Buah Pala saga looks headed for an amicable settlement as 22 house owners agreed to accept an offer from the developer, Nusmetro Ventures (P) Sdn Bhd.

Nusmetro Director Thomas Chan said a meeting was held with Kampung Buah Pala residents yesterday and that they had agreed to accept an offer made by them (developer).

“During the meeting, 22 house owners signed letters of offer by the developer and agreed to shift peacefully,” he told reporters here today.

Chan said they were offered a double-storey house and RM8,000 as expenses for shifting.

“We will start demolition works next week and carry on with the development as soon as possible. However, we will still give them time on compassionate grounds,” he said.

Yesterday, Kampung Buah Pala Residents Association chairperson M. Sugumaran had said that they had no choice but to abide by the court’s decision to vacate the land.

He added that all the residents were disappointed with the situation but had to accept the offer from the developer.

On June 24, the Court had ordered the residents to evacuate the village, covering some 2.6 hectares, and allow the landowner, Penang Government Officers Cooperative and the developer, to start work on the site. – BERNAMA

Summary: 22 house owners signed up. Compensation: double storey house and RM8000.

The Star:

The 11 remaining temporary occupation licence (TOL) holders of Kampung Buah Pala now want to accept the developer’s double-storey house offer.

They have asked to be given the ex-gratia offer — which was taken up by the other holders — again during a meeting on Wednesday night, said developer Nusmetro Ventures (P) Sdn Bhd executive director Thomas Chan.

The meeting was attended by Chan, the village committee members and representatives of landowner Koperasi Pegawai Kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang.

In an immediate response, residents association chairman M. Sugumaran, one of the 11 TOL holders yet to sign on the ex-gratia deal, said they had always wanted to accept the offer — provided terms and conditions were fully spelled out in black and white.

He said 11 of them would have a meeting on Sunday to discuss on the next course of action.

Chan, in a press conference Friday, said the company was willing to build additional double-storey houses but added a re-drawn development plan has to be approved by the state government.

“This is because only 24 double-storey houses with a built up area of 1,400sq ft each were slated to be built earlier.

“Twenty-two units have been taken up,” he said.

He said the company has given the 11 TOL holders one week to resolve the issue with the state government.

“We will probably arrange a meeting for them with the state government tomorrow (Saturday). A lot will depend from the outcome of the negotiation before we can build additional houses,” he said.

He added they could seek assistance from deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy, who is in charge of the matter.

He said they would submit a new development plan by next week.

“Once it is approved, we anticipate the 33 houses to be ready in two years time,” he said.

Chan also said the state government had set a bad precedent over the Kampung Buah Pala land issue by raising the expectation of squatters in Penang.

“It is no longer a RM75,000 low-medium cost house that they want as settlement. They want double-storey houses now.

“This move has create issues in several areas like Tanjung Tokong and Mak Mandin where squatters are expecting more from the developers or land owners,” he said.

Chan said the demolition of houses at the village will continue on Saturday. He hoped there would not be any more repeat of Thursday’s high drama, when police detained 18 people, of whom only five were from the village. They were later released on police bail.

Summary: 11 TOL owners willing to sign up and take the compensation package.

Malaysiakini:

All Kampung Buah Pala residents have agreed to move out of their village in a week after accepting a deal offered to them developer Nusmetro Venture (P) Sdn Bhd.

Thomas Chan, the company’s director, said 1,400 sq ft double-storey terrace houses will be built on part of the acquired land as compensation to the village toll holders.

He said the land owner, Koperasi Pegawai Pegawai Kanan Kerajaan Pulau Pinang, brokered the deal with villagers, and Nusmetro had agreed to it.

He told a press conference today that all the villagers have agreed to the deal and will move out in one week.

“We can finally concentrate on the property development,” said Chan (left), heaving a sigh of relief that the contentious dispute which started in 2007 had been resolved.

The deal paves way for the lucrative Oasis project, comprising two blocks of condominiums and low medium flats, totalling 799 units to begin without hindrance.

By 2011, condos worth a minimum RM240,000 would finally stand tall on the land, which the residents fought hard to preserve as an Indian heritage village in Penang.

Newly re-designed project plan

Chan said thus far 22 toll holders have signed the offer letters while the remaining 11 villagers were expected to sign up in few days.

“I can say this would be my last press conference on the High Chaparral saga. I think we will have peaceful vacant possession of the land this time around,” said Chan.

When asked about the cattles in cattle farm in the village, Chan said the cattle breeder would have to find his own solution to end his predicament.

He said that the company would submit a newly re-designed project plan for the state government’s approval once the villagers have moved out.

He said he was satisfied with the demolition that took place yesterday, where three vacant houses and small portion of another house with occupants were demolished.

Summary: 22 had signed and another 11 to sign up (sounds like combination of Star and NST’s figures). Deal is for 1400 sqft double-storey house.

After a protracted, bruising, and strenuous saga, the villagers had realised that no one can help them now. When 18 people ended up in police station yesterday, the reality may have set in for the residents. Its not like in the movies where miracles happen or a hero steps up to bash the “bad” guys. Now the residents have to swallow their pride and accept the offer, and let go of their heritage land. Many quarters may mock their for going back on their stand to protect their lands, but reality is, no way to protect their land since all other parties not cooperating.

As for the political parties, what would this entail? MIC can save their RM3.2 million while braving the police over the last few weeks, I guess. DAP can claim they successfully brokered the initial deal. Federal government would be glad didn’t need to interfere. HINDRAF may come out with some statement defending the residents and condemning everyone else (hey, that’s why they are political pressure group!)

Is it a win-win situation for all, in a way?