PENANG, Aug 5 (Bernama) -- Residents of Kampung Buah Pala, dubbed Penang's 'High Chaparral' want more time to consider an offer made by the developer, Nusmetro Ventures (P) Sdn Bhd, yesterday.
Kampung Buah Pala Residents Association assistant secretary C. Tharmaraj said since the 23 families affected were not happy with the initial offer of a single storey terrace house offered by the developer, they would need time to discuss with their lawyers before making a decision.
Kampung Buah Pala Residents Association assistant secretary C. Tharmaraj said since the 23 families affected were not happy with the initial offer of a single storey terrace house offered by the developer, they would need time to discuss with their lawyers before making a decision.
"The developer has given us until Friday to make a decision but we hope the dateline can be extended to give enough time for the residents to discuss and make a decision on the offer," he told reporters here on Wednesday.
Tharmaraj said the residents want the developer to furnish details of the plan and design of the houses promised to them because during a meeting yesterday, the developer had only made a verbal offer.
"We want to see details of the offer in 'blank & white' to avoid any misunderstanding later. As of now, the residents do not have any basis to discuss the offer," he said.
Asked how much time was needed, Tharmaraj said it would be better for the developer to wait for a Federal Court decision on the residents' application for leave to appeal against vacant possession, on Aug 18.
He also hoped the developer would not go ahead with their decision to demolish the houses until a decision on the appeal was made, as it would be fair to everyone.
"If the developer remains adamant to demolish the houses after Friday, we will not hesitate to defend our belongings in whatever way possible," he said.
In the mean time, we urge the Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to file an application to invoke Section 116 (1)(d) of the National Land Code to prevent any development or the demolition of houses in Kampung Buah Pala, he said.
Tharmaraj said two weeks ago, Lim had promised to file the application but since he had not done it until now, it was tantamount to misleading the residents.
"We do not understand why he has not filed the application because it is within his powers," he said.
The Kampung Buah Pala land became an issue after the Federal Court issued an order for the 23 families living on the 2.6-hectare site to vacate it and was slated for demolition yesterday.
However, after meting the state government and the residents last night, Nusmetro Ventures (P) Sdn Bhd (developer), offered each affected family a terrace house and set Friday as the new dateline for them to vacate.
Meanwhile, deputy chief minister II, P. Ramasamy urged the residents to accept the offer made by the developer, in principle, as an avenue to settle the issue.
If the residents agreed in principle, the state government can proceed to discuss details of the offer with the developer, he said.
"It is entirely up to the residents, if they agree, we will then discuss further details," said Ramasamy who did not want to comment on what would happen if they refused the offer.
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