Plan to rescue estate ‘slaves’

The deplorable living conditions has prompted one politician to initiate a relocation exercise. The plan will cut across political differences.

HULU SELANGOR: Appalled by the deplorable living conditions of families in an estate here, a MIC leader is looking into the possibility of relocating them.
Conceding that it will be a mammoth endeavour, S Vell Paari however is determined to forge ahead with his plan.

He also stressed that the relocation is not politically motivated, but driven by humanitarian reasons and therefore welcomed assistance from all quarters, including Pakatan Rakyat leaders and NGOs.

The MIC publicity and communication chief also pledged to start a fund, which will be managed by an independent committee, to finance the project.

“These people are in dire need of help. This is not about votes. So I hope all concerned groups will set aside their political differences and help me turn this plan into a reality. Let’s work together.

“I’ve repeatedly stressed that people cannot be coerced, threatened or punished when it comes to exercising their democratic right to vote for the party of their choice,” he told FMT.

Vell Paari is also certain that his critics will pour scorn on his plan but the MIC central working committee member said he will not be deterred.

“I’m sure some will dismiss this as a gimmick. But I don’t care about that. If the criticism is constructive, I’ll take note of it. I’m more interested in helping these people,” he said.

On Saturday, Vell Paari visited the Nigel Gardner estate, owned by tycoon Vincent Tan’s Berjaya Group, after being alerted about the plight of 11-year-old schoolgirl, A Kangga.

The Standard Five pupil, born with fingers and toes fused together, is in need of financial aid to cover her medical treatment expenses.

‘Living in the 19^th century’
After meeting Kangga’s family and being informed about the problems faced by the estate workers there, Vell Paari said he was shocked.

“The children are malnourished, the houses are falling apart, and from what I hear, the estate management is treating its workers poorly, not to mention risking their health with prolonged exposure to harmful substances related to the cultivation of oil palm trees.

“They are drawing salaries of RM300 a month after deductions. This is the 21st century but in an estate, located some 40 minutes from the city, there are people still living in the 19th century,” he said.

“We talk about the suffering in Palestine and Sri Lanka. We want to help Australia process asylum seekers but we have refugee-like citizens in our own backyard.

“While it is noble to help those in other lands, we should also not forget to reach out to our fellow Malaysians who are in a similar situation,” he added.

When pointed out that the Hulu Selangor parliamentary constituency, which encompasses the Nigel Gardner estate, is under MIC, Vell Paari said he is well aware of this fact.

Apart from this, MIC president G Palanivel, the former Hulu Selangor MP, is also known to be a close associate of the Berjaya Group’s boss.

‘Nothing to do with votes’
Insisting on keeping his plan above party and partisan politics, Vell Paari said: “I know these things have been happening during MIC’s watch, but I want to reiterate that my plan to relocate them has nothing to do with politics, it’s purely compassion.”

“We’ve always said things like ‘If we do this and that, you must vote for us’. I’m guilty of doing that as well. But after visiting the estate, I feel ashamed for having done that.

“We’ve to change our mindset because politicians are elected by the people to serve them and that is what we must do. We must stop using votes as an excuse to do work.

“Getting votes is a secondary issue. If a politician does his job and what is expected of him, there is no need to campaign or give hampers, the people will vote for you,” he added.

Elaborating on his relocation plan, Vell Paari said he will discuss the matter with the incumbent Hulu Selangor MP P Kamalanathan as well as Pakatan’s Selangor exco in charge of Indian affairs, Dr Xavier Jeyakumar.

Next month, he added, a meeting will be organised with the 80 families in the estate to obtain their feedback and to determine how many of them want to move out.

“We’ll ascertain the exact number and take it from there. Basically, we’ve have to find them alternate houses and by that I mean, decent homes. We’ve to look into enrolling the children in a new school.
“I also believe that those who move out should undergo rehabilitation and skills training, following which, we provide them with employment opportunities to ensure that they earn a proper income to support their families on their own without depending on handouts.

“This is no walk in the park as it involves people’s lives. We’ve to plan this carefully and that is why I need help from all quarters. This problem has been going on for too long and enough of begging the government to deal with it. The time has come to take matters into our own hands,” he said.

If the plan proves to be a success, the MIC leader said he will then focus on other estates around the country.

Vell Paari also said that he will write a letter to Berjaya Group’s Tan to notify him of the situation in the Nigel Gardner estate.

“Berjaya is a big corporation and Tan is perhaps in the dark about what is happening on the ground. So it is only fair that we give him the benefit of the doubt and tell him about the matter,” he added.

‘We’re being treated like slaves’
When FMT visited the estate later and informed a group of workers about the relocation plan, many appeared receptive.

The workers also lambasted the government, especially MIC, for turning a blind eye to their problems and for not keeping their election promises

Venting her frustration, one outspoken worker, who has been living in the Nigel Gardner estate since the age of 13, claimed: “We’re being treated like slaves. When they want our votes, the politicians come running, hold concerts and slaughter goats for a feast. But after that, we’re abandoned.”

“Look at our houses. When it rains, the roof leaks. The toilet doors are broken. We’ve daughters and they’re forced to have their baths in a toilet like that,” she added, amid sobs.

“See my clothes!” exclaimed the 50-year-old mother of three while tugging on her faded t-shirt. “This cost RM5 and my pants, that is also RM5. That’s all we can afford. This is how we live.”