After a month of waiting patience
is running thin for former workers of Ladang Bukit Jalil awaiting a response
from Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to their demand for four acres of land there.
So, their Ladang Bukit Jalil action committee has decided to remind him of their demand for feedback, failing which on the 10th of every month "the committee will go to the Prime Minister's Office to remind the PM that their problems remain unsolved".
"There is already a feeling that their previous meeting
(with Najib) was just drama without a solution, for we fear that if this problem
is not solved during or after the elections, there would be evictions or
demolitions like we had seen before," said Parti Sosialis Malaysia secretary and
social activist S Arutchelvan (2nd from right in photo) at a press
conference today in front of the estate.
On May 30, the former estate workers had "occupied" Putrajaya, hoping to meet Najib to press their demand for alternative housing land.
Their hopes rose when the premier responded to their calls on July 10, however, he could only promise no eviction threats against them until he arrived at decision on their housing woes but could do nothing about their demand for land.
So, their Ladang Bukit Jalil action committee has decided to remind him of their demand for feedback, failing which on the 10th of every month "the committee will go to the Prime Minister's Office to remind the PM that their problems remain unsolved".
"There is already a feeling that their previous meeting
(with Najib) was just drama without a solution, for we fear that if this problem
is not solved during or after the elections, there would be evictions or
demolitions like we had seen before," said Parti Sosialis Malaysia secretary and
social activist S Arutchelvan (2nd from right in photo) at a press
conference today in front of the estate. On May 30, the former estate workers had "occupied" Putrajaya, hoping to meet Najib to press their demand for alternative housing land.
Their hopes rose when the premier responded to their calls on July 10, however, he could only promise no eviction threats against them until he arrived at decision on their housing woes but could do nothing about their demand for land.
PM has to show political will
On August 8, Ladang Bukit Jalil estate action committee
treasurer K Balakrishnan had delivered a letter to the Prime Minister's Office,
informing the premier that the former estate workers would be at his doorsteps
today for answers. Later that day, Balakrishnan said he received a phone call from Najib's special officer, Ravin Ponniah, informing him that Najib had provided no feedback.
"The PM himself has to show political will that he is really sincere in helping them, for his Merdeka theme is Janji Ditepati," said Arutchelvan.
"We're holding the press conference today to let everybody know that there is still no feedback from them."
The action committee promised to intensify the pressure if they are continued to be ignored.
The land was acquired by the
government in 1980, and as the rubber tappers continued working, the government
disposed off the land in parcels to private developers.
Today, only 26 acres of the 1,800 acres remain with the families there facing eviction threats from the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) since 2007.
Today, only 26 acres of the 1,800 acres remain with the families there facing eviction threats from the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) since 2007.
Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/206027
No comments:
Post a Comment