MIC veep takes Tamil dailies to task

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Federal Territories Minister M Saravanan today ticked off Tamil dailies Tamil Nesan, Makkal Osai and Malaysia Nanban for distorting his statements on issues relating to the relocation of Bukit Jalil estate residents.“Quote accurately what I say. Don’t distort it,” said Saravanan, who is also MIC vice president, at a press conference held at MIC party headquarters this afternoon.

He said the reports by the three dailies gave the impression that he had not done anything to resolve the plight of the Bukit Jalil estate folk, who have been told to make way for development.“Raja Nong Chik (his boss), Human Resources Minister S Subramaniam and I have been doing our best to provide for the Bukit Jalil estate people.”“If not for us, their homes in Bukit Jalil would have been demolished a long time ago,” he said.

Saravanan added that since 2008 when he was appointed deputy minister, he had worked hard to have compensation for the estate workers to move out increased.Thirty-five acres of the Bukit Jalil estate land that was acquired by the government has been given back to the people, he said.Of the 35 acres, 26 acres have been allocated for a Muslim burial ground and nine for a non-Muslim burial ground.

Previously those who moved out were given only RM1,000 with an option to rent units from the nearby City Hall flats. Now a better compensation package was being offered.He also said additional funds were given to the estate workers. “Now we are giving them opportunity to own a home,” he said.“A Tamil school is also being built,” he said. “There’s also a temple at the estate and it will be maintained as it is.”

Land is scarce

Saravanan also said that the problems of the Bukit Jalil residents was resolved even though the area did not not fall under his jurisdiction.He also cited an example of the estate management failing to pay EPF contributions which was then footed by his ministry.The only request that he could not fulfill, said Saravanan, was their demand for landed properties.“That is because land is scarce in Kuala Lumpur,” said Saravanan, adding that it was also because City Hall had a policy of not providing for landed property.

He lamented the fact that the residents were giving differing statements to the press even though they had agreed on several matters.On another note, he said that Emergency Ordinance will not be used to evict the estate workers. Instead an evacuation notice has been issued.The latest notice of eviction was issued by City Hall on March 1, giving the residents 14 days to vacate their premises failing which their homes would be demolished the following day.


Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/03/07/mic-veep-takes-tamil-dailies-to-task/