Nine disgruntled former residents of Kampung Buah Pala issued a legal notice of action to the Penang state government to address their compensation demand.
The nine were the only residents among the original 33 left uncompensated following the demolition of their houses in September.
Kampung Buah Pala Residents Association, a registered body, chairperson M Sugumaran said the notice dated Nov 24, 2009 was hand-delivered to the Chief Minister's Office in Komtar.
He said the letter was jointly signed by the residents' lawyers Danny C Navaratnam and V Sivagurupatham on behalf of the nine residents.
He said the residents were holders of legitimate temporary occupiers' licence (TOL) when their houses were demolished.
The nine are V Odayappan, 88, Draviam Arul Pillay, 84, M Karupiah Thevar, 81, M Ayamah, 75, I Muniandy, 73, P Kaliammal, 66, I Pasunagi, 61, R Indiani, 60, and R Supramaniam, 58.
Lawyer: Compensation is reasonable
In the letter, Sugumaran said the residents have demanded the state government to safeguard the interests, benefits and welfare of the residents.
The residents have also called on the state government to stop any development activities in 6.5 acres of flattened Kampung Buah Pala land until and unless their compensation demands are met.
Their lawyers have asked for a meeting to negotiate and resolve the issue amicably.
However, if the state government ignores this, Sugumaran said the residents would seek court redress.
"The residents are not seeking unreasonable compensation as portrayed by the state government," he added.
Last week, Sugumaran handed over a memorandum to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng calling on the state government to address the compensation issue.
The other 24 residents were compensated with leasehold double-storey houses each on the same site.
DCM 2: We'll look into it
Kampung Buah Pala was once known as Penang Tamil High Chaparral for its population of cowherds, cattle, goats and other livestock, unique Indian cultural features and festivities.
The 200-year-old Indian traditional village, which was once under the colonial master Brown Estate Trust, was demolished to pave way for a posh condominium project, called the Oasis.
Contacted later, Deputy Chief Minister 2 P Ramasamy said he would look into the issue and explore an amicable solution to end the stalemate.
He denied that the state government had neglected the residents and stressed that he would hold talks with the developer to resolve the issue.
"I understand their frustration. I will work towards breaking the deadlock," he said.
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