Comments by former ISA detainee V Ganabathirau's over the Kampung Buah Pala crisis in Penang has riled up several of the embattled village residents.
Villagers A Raventhiran, 46, and R Devendran, 23, are among those hopping mad over the ex-ISA detainee's suggestions that the villagers seek an appointment with Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to resolve the issue.
“His statement suggested that we had refused to meet the chief minister. It is untrue and a blatant lie,” said Raventhiran (right).
He said the villagers have tried to meet Lim in Komtar on June 30 - both in the morning and in the evening.
However, he said on both occasions the chief minister did not turn up to meet them despite the villagers and Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) supporters waiting for hours to discuss the issue with him.
“Instead, Lim had left it to his political secretary Ng Wei Aik to talk to us,” said Raventhiran.
“There were opportunities for Lim to meet us and understand our predicament. As chief minister, he should have done that. But he didn't. Ganabathirau should check on the facts first before opening his mouth,” he added.
'He seeks political mileage'
Another villager Davendran claimed that Ganabathirau (right), a DAP member, was trying to gain political mileage from Lim, who is DAP secretary-general.
“He should not lie about this merely to enhance his DAP career. Instead of asking us to meet Lim, Ganabathirau should question Lim on why he didn't bother to be pro-active to resolve this issue from the start,” said Devendran.
Davendran (left) also chided Ganabathirau's attack on top Hindraf leaders - brothers P Waythamoorthy and Uthayakumar - who had criticised Lim over the handling of the issue.
He said prior to Hindraf lending support to the villagers, Lim has never spoken about the Kampung Buah Pala situation.
Kampung Buah Pala, better known as Penang's High Chaparral, is home to some 300 people, most of whom are cowherds. It is of sentimental value to the Indian community because it is the sole traditional Indian enclave in the island.
However, the previous Barisan Nasional administration under former Chief Minister Koh Tsu Koon sold the land to a private developer at a price widely considered to be undervalued.
Attention is now turned on Lim whom the villagers believe can invoke state powers to acquire the land. Lim however rejected the suggestion, claiming that the government cannot afford to do so.
Villagers A Raventhiran, 46, and R Devendran, 23, are among those hopping mad over the ex-ISA detainee's suggestions that the villagers seek an appointment with Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to resolve the issue.
“His statement suggested that we had refused to meet the chief minister. It is untrue and a blatant lie,” said Raventhiran (right).He said the villagers have tried to meet Lim in Komtar on June 30 - both in the morning and in the evening.
However, he said on both occasions the chief minister did not turn up to meet them despite the villagers and Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) supporters waiting for hours to discuss the issue with him.
“Instead, Lim had left it to his political secretary Ng Wei Aik to talk to us,” said Raventhiran.
“There were opportunities for Lim to meet us and understand our predicament. As chief minister, he should have done that. But he didn't. Ganabathirau should check on the facts first before opening his mouth,” he added.
'He seeks political mileage'
Another villager Davendran claimed that Ganabathirau (right), a DAP member, was trying to gain political mileage from Lim, who is DAP secretary-general.“He should not lie about this merely to enhance his DAP career. Instead of asking us to meet Lim, Ganabathirau should question Lim on why he didn't bother to be pro-active to resolve this issue from the start,” said Devendran.
Davendran (left) also chided Ganabathirau's attack on top Hindraf leaders - brothers P Waythamoorthy and Uthayakumar - who had criticised Lim over the handling of the issue.He said prior to Hindraf lending support to the villagers, Lim has never spoken about the Kampung Buah Pala situation.
Kampung Buah Pala, better known as Penang's High Chaparral, is home to some 300 people, most of whom are cowherds. It is of sentimental value to the Indian community because it is the sole traditional Indian enclave in the island.
However, the previous Barisan Nasional administration under former Chief Minister Koh Tsu Koon sold the land to a private developer at a price widely considered to be undervalued.
Attention is now turned on Lim whom the villagers believe can invoke state powers to acquire the land. Lim however rejected the suggestion, claiming that the government cannot afford to do so.
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