BUTTERWORTH: The state government has identified a piece of land for the construction of replacement flat units for squatter families staying in the Rumah Hijau longhouses in Mak Mandin.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the 0.83ha (2.06 acre) land, belonging to the state, was located on Jalan Mak Mandin 5, which was about 100 metres away from the Rumah Hijau longhouses.
He said the state accepted a suggestion made by the Kampung Baru Rumah Hijau Bagan Residents’ Association to pick the particular plot of land, after a discussion with its committee members last week.
At present, the piece of land is occupied by three residential units, three workshops and a transport company depot.
Lim said the state would work out something for them.
“We hope the Federal Government will quickly approve a grant for the construction of affordable housing units there.
“We have written to the National Housing Department, giving our assurance to deliver vacant possession of the piece of land,” he said after visiting the proposed site for the replacement housing units here yesterday.
Lim said 350 houses could be built on the piece of land for the over 300 families who originally stayed in the longhouses.
Association chairman Sin Seang Kwang thanked Lim for fulfilling his promise to find a piece of land for them, adding that he would do his part to convince the federal authorities to release funds to construct the housing units.
Barisan Nasional’s Bagan parliamentary constituency coordinator David Chua said he would do the needful to help the residents get the money to build the housing units.
“I will meet with officials from the Housing and Local Government Ministry to quickly draw up the necessary design and plans for the housing units.
“Perhaps, if they can add another 30 units, it would be good as it could be given to some of the residents from the low-cost flat block in Ampang Jajar, who want to return here,” he said.
Chua reminded the squatters that they had no locus standi to demand for replacement housing units.
He stressed that this was a special case which should not be used as a precedent when handling other squatter relocation cases. - The Star
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