NIBONG TEBAL:Twenty-three families at Ladang Sungai Kechil who had been facing eviction have received good news: the state government will provide them with homes under the Rumah MutiaraKu (RMKu) development project.
Chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said each family would be given a free replacement house, while three temples would be rebuilt on the original sites.
He said the land acquisition process for the 2.49ha was completed last year under Sections 4 and 8 of the Land Acquisition Act 1960, following an agreement with the landowner as a long-term solution for the residents.
Each family will receive a single-storey terraced house measuring 750 sq ft with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, and parking space in front.
“A company has been selected to develop this project. It must first submit a planning permission plan. If approved soon, we expect construction to begin early next year,” he said.
Earlier, Chow witnessed the signing ceremony of the joint development agreement for the RMKu housing development project between Penang State Housing Board chief business officer Fakhurrazzi Ibnu Omar and Sierra Residences (M) Sdn Bhd director Khoek Su Kiang.
At the ceremony, there was also a handover of offer letters to the buyers of RMKU’s Residensi Rambai Indah and Harbour View Residence projects.
Chow said the overall project on the site involved the construction of 85 houses to be implemented in phases. However, the priority will be to first complete 23 units to be handed over to the residents, while the remaining 62 houses will be offered for sale to interested parties.
He said the residents need not relocate during construction because there is sufficient land available as a “buffer” and can move into their new homes once they are completed.
One of the residents, V Thangaraja, expressed joy that the land dispute had finally been resolved after 10 years.
“Before this, we didn’t know where to go as our predecessors had lived in the settlement for over 100 years since the time of our grandparents,” said Thangaraja, adding that they were estate workers.
