Kg Buah Pala: PKR youth chief raps Lim

Penang government today…

More ► More ▼ Penang government today came under fire from a PKR lawmaker for not upholding human rights and social justice in handling the 'High Chaparral' Kampung Buah Pala crisis.

Balik Pulau parliamentarian Yusmadi Yusoff said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng should know that any development forsaking human development and values is in breach of universal laws and principles.

"All development policies without emphasis on human rights are flawed. The Kampung Buah Pala crisis should have been handled on these universal principles.

"It's a virtue upheld by international convention and universal laws on social and natural justice.

"Pakatan Rakyat's economic agenda upholds these values and the DAP government should know that," he told Malaysiakini today.

Yusmadi, the PKR state youth leader, is heading a separate party task force to probe the alleged land scam involving Kampung Puah Pala.

The 'High Chaparral' crisis is fast approaching a Mexican standoff between the villagers, civil societies, Lim's government and the developer - Umno-linked Nusmetro Ventures (P) Sdn Bhd.

Crisis could have been averted

The DAP-dominated state government had come under fire from various quarters including the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (Jerit), Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram), various social activists and politicians for its 'ineptness and unwillingness' to end the crisis.

They want the state government to acquire and preserve the village in Bukit Gelugor for its 300 residents, involving 65 families in 24 houses.

Even residents living within the vicinity have signed a petition supporting the villagers' cause and called on the state government to halt the lucrative project initiated by its controversial land owner - Koperasi Pegawai-Pegawai Kanan Kerajaan Kerajaan Pulau Pinang.

Touching on the standoff between the villagers, developer and the state government, Yusmadi said the crisis could have been averted if the state government had respected human rights over commercial interests.

He said Lim was wrong to talk about a supposed RM200,000 offer made by the developer to the villagers because he had abandoned the social, economic and cultural rights of the villagers.

The villagers accused Lim of lying about the RM200,000 offer, stressing that the developer had only offered RM90,000 cash or a low cost unit as compensation.

Lim must expose the culprits

Yusmadi said the villagers and civil societies were talking about a 200-year-old peaceful and friendly urban living environment.

Its cultural growth, self-reliant economic activities and the romance of nature is something so scarce these days.

"One cannot compare all these human development and values with material goals," said Yusmadi.

"No amount of compensation can buy all these postive values in life," he said, chiding Lim for being inconsistent on the issue.

He said while the state government had formed an investigation team to probe misappropriation of the village land, Lim on the other hand, was talking about compensation.

By probing into the land deals, he said Lim (left) had admitted that the state government suspected foul play.

Therefore, he said Lim should stick with the probe and go on to expose the real culprits.

But talking about compensation now, he said Lim had contradicted himself and confused the public.

Yusmadi said the onus was now on Lim's government to prove to Penangites that Pakatan government was 'governance with a difference' - upholding human rights and social justice.

"The state government must show that it is different from Barisan Nasional. It must protect human rights, human freedom and human development," he said

Hindraf vs Lim: War of words continue - Malaysiakini

The public attrition between the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) and the Penang government over the 'High Chaparral' controversy has reached new heights with both sides continue to trade barbs.…

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The public attrition between the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) and the Penang government over the 'High Chaparral' controversy has reached new heights with both sides continue to trade barbs.

Hindraf leader P Waythamoorthy today sharpened his attacks by accusing Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng of being a party to the allegedly fraudulent transaction of Kampung Buah Pala village land in Bukit Gelugor.

Waythamoorthy said since the village land transfer happened under Lim's watch, he should be held responsible for the transaction.

He pointed out that Lim had conceded that the land deals were carried out in dubious manner by the previous Barisan Nasional government.

The land was transferred from state ownership to a civil servants' cooperative society – Koperasi Pegawai-Pegawai Kanan Kerajaan Pulau Pinang - on March 27 last year, 19 days after Pakatan Rakyat was catapulted to power in the 2008 general election.

The transfer is said to have been done without the knowledge of the state government despite Lim's directive to the Land Office to halt all land transactions on assuming power.

The London-based Waythamoorthy pointed out that Lim could have easily cancelled the subsequent transaction on grounds of insubordination or non-approval from the state cabinet.

“What I knew was the village's lawyer had even advised Lim to cancel the deal and take administrative action against the culprits. But he did neither,” he told Malaysiakini.

State can invoke Land Acquisition Act

Waythamoorthy also refuted claims by Lim that Hindraf had misled the public in implying that the state government could acquire the village land at RM30 million or below the market price.

He said it was Lim's political secretary Ng Wei Aik in his own blog posting which suggested that the land would cost the state government tens of millions of ringgit.

Accusing Lim of putting the cart before the horse, he further questioned Lim's wisdom in coming up with such a “ridiculous” sum.

“Perhaps he is not getting the correct advice from his state legal adviser,” said Waythamoorthy, who himself is a trained lawyer.

He said the legal avenue to acquire the land was under sections 18-35 of the Land Acquisation Act, which clearly stated that the quantum of the compensation to be paid shall be assessed by the land administrator after valuations and survey.

If the awarded compensation was unacceptable, he said Lim can invoke provisions under sections 36-51 to seek the court to determine the appropriate sum, with the assistance of assessors.

“He should not blame Hindraf for his own ignorance of the law,” said Waythamoorthy.

Compensation offer dismissed as 'peanut'

He also rebuked Lim for claiming that acquiring a piece of land such as Kampung Buah Pala was beyond the state government's financial capabilities. Waythamoorthy argued that the village was not exactly developed land.

“In any case, the village was developed by the villagers, who have lived there for past 200 years, with their sweat and blood, not by the government or developer.

“If the land is worth hundreds of millions of ringgit because it is developed then the compensation should be awarded to villagers, who are the rightful owners and real developers of the land,” he said.

Waythamoorthy rapped Lim for colluding with the developer to deny the basic human need of having a 'roof over one's head' and uprooting the villagers with the “peanut” compensation offer of RM90,000.

He said Hindraf was willing to sever the movement's friendship with DAP over the issue.

“This issue is not about money, but the preservation of the villagers' right to exist in their hereditary cultural homes.

“As a responsible chief minister and DAP leader, he should be the first to protect and preserve their homes,” he said, calling on Pakatan Rakyat leaders to pressure Lim on the issue.

Developer Nusmetro Venture has given the villagers until Aug 2 before moving in to flatten the village and make way for a high-end condominium project.

Hindraf to give Indians a third voice - Malaysiakini

In November 2007, the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) had rattled the nation when it staged a massive street protest in Kuala Lumpur which drew tens of thousands of Indian…

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In November 2007, the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) had rattled the nation when it staged a massive street protest in Kuala Lumpur which drew tens of thousands of Indian Malaysians.

Five of its leaders were subsequently detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA). But the momentum generated by the movement saw the Indian Malaysian community turning its back on the ruling coalition.

The Hindraf leaders have since been released, and now the movement plans to take its struggle to the political realm.

According to sources, Hindraf has already submitted its application to the Registrar of Societies and is awaiting the green light.

The name for the new party is Parti Hak Asasi Manusia (Paham).

Speculation that Hindraf may venture into politics started making the rounds when its leader P Uthayakumar stated that the movement was dissatisfied with both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat.

He lamented that Hindraf's 'Makkal Sakthi' clarion call had been exploited by all parties for their personal benefit, leaving the Indian community high and dry.

Uthayakumar had also suggested that a new political party was needed to safeguard the rights of the Indian community.

Following this, the lawyer has been touring the country to garner feedback from the grassroots and is slated to make an official announcement on July 19.

No proper avenue for Inndians

"MIC, PPP, IPF and other splinter Indian parties are linked to BN and are committed to the coalition's rules and regulations which have retarded the economic progress of the Indian community for the past 52 years," said the source.

"On the other hand, DAP is a Chinese-based party, PKR a Malay-based party and PAS an Islamic party. There is no proper avenue for Indians to voice out their grievances," he added.

The source is confident that Indians from other political parties will flock to Paham.

Asked about the possibility of the ROS rejecting the application, the source cited Article 10 of the Federal Constitution which gives a person the right to form an association and Article 8 of the same, that provides equality before the law.

"When ROS can approve another Indian political party (Makkal Sakthi Party Malaysia (MSPM) within two weeks, I don't see any reason for it to reject our application," he said.

"Anyway, in such an eventuality, Paham will continue as a pro-tem party and may take legal action as a last resort to seek justice for the new party," he added.

Contacted later, Uthayakumar declined to comment on the formation of the new party.

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Hindraf Makkal Sakthi

A TEST FOR PENANG PAKATAN – WITH THE RAKYAT OR WITH THE RICH

While Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) is fully aware that the previous Government under Barisan National (BN) is to be blamed for the current problems in Kampung Buah Pala, Penang; yet the DAP led Pakatan Rakyat Government cannot just wash its hands off yet and blame the previous Government all the way.

In fact it puts to test or rather gives Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng a chance to prove that his government is pro people against being pro capitalist. For the time being it looks like peoples power has succeeded in postponing the forced eviction of the Kampung Pala settlers this Thursday.

PSM having the experience in fighting and championing many urban poor settlement sees that the biggest conflict surrounding land disputes are not the questions of ethnicity or heritage but rather it is the question of class. In most cases, the capitalist class using its financial muscle obtains land by buying over the State Government and its politicians. The poor settlers who have spent decades developing the land is left in a lurch and shown the exit door. The legal argument is standard – they are illegals, squatters and trespassers. They have been adequately compensated or these people are anti-development.

We have heard these same mantras over and over. These mantras have been used to evict the orang asli, the plantation workers, the farmers and the urban settlers over the years. In most cases the State and the legal system is with the rich and the developers. In cases where the people have triumphed, it is because of the resistance and struggle they put forward. It is very seldom, where the law has sided with the poor.

The current conflict puts a challenge to the Pakatan Government on the question of political will and political alliance. It is a question of class which the State Government needs to address. Everything else is technical and secondary. The State Government needs to choose if it wants to be with the many or just be comfortable living in its oasis.

PSM calls upon the State Government to use its political mandate and will to side with the settlers of Kampung Buah Pala. We call for all forced evictions in the State of Penang to be immediately halted. We call for a dialogue and the settlers of kampong Buah Pala be treated as partners in these development in their area.


S.Arutchelvan
Secretary General
PSM

LIM GUAN ENG IS A BLATANT LIAR

I refer to the Statement of Penang Chief Minister on Malaysiakini today throwing various wild allegations against Hindraf .

I wish to reply as follows:

He has lied and mislead the Malaysian public that Hindraf had "lied"that acquiring Kg.Buah Pala would cost the State Government RM 30 Million.

He further misleads in his statement implying that Hindraf had represented that the State Government could acquire the Kg below the market value.

The above statements by Lim Guan Eng is an absolute and blatant lie deliberately calculated to mislead the Malaysian public and divert from the real issue staring at him.

It was his own Political Secretary that had issued a statement yesterday (malaysiakini) that it would cost the state RM30 million to compensate the developers.

However we are aware of his posting on a blog and widely circulated in the emails that it costs more than tens of millions to do so.

My point is simple- where did Guan Eng get this ridiculus sum from? Why is he putting the cart before the horse? Perhaps he is not getting proper advise from his State Legal Adviser or perhaps his arrogance has cloded his mind. The necessary procedures which are lenghty and elaborate are clearly provided for in Section 18-35 Land Acquisation Act. The amount of compensation to be paid are to be assessed by the Land administrator after valuations and survey. If the amount of compensation awarded by the Land administor is not acceptable by the Developer then he would have to rely on provisions of Section 36-51 of the Land Acquisation Act where the Court would determine the appropriate compensation with the assistance of assessors.

So why is he now blaming HINDRAF for his ignorance of the Law. He has to justify how his Political Secretary came up with RM30 million or even his own Statement that it would cost more than "tens of Millions". Instead he is trying to divert from the real issue.

He further states " the forcible acquisation of Kg Buah Pala involving developed land would be of frightening magnitute and the State Government did not have the financial capability to do so".

Guan Eng is definately a liar and hoodwinking the public. Kg Buah Pala is not a developed land in the first place. I may be thousands of miles away but i will vouch it is a yet to be developed land and the developers had done nothing on the piece of land as yet. So WHAT IS HE FRIGHTENED ABOUT. The villagers have been occupying the land for 200 years and the land is developed in this modern day as a cultural village by the poor and defenceless people of Penang with their own sweat and blood. If the land is worth hundreds of millions of Ringgit because it is developed then the compensation should be to the owners as they are the real developers of the land at the present moment.

Guan Eng claims that the land which is believed to be transfered under dubious manner by the previous BN Government is the fault of the previous Government. But he must remember that the actual transfer of the said land had occured during his tenure as the Chief Minister.

If the previous Government had made a fraudulent deal then he is part of the fraudulent transaction for having sanctioned the transfer after he became the Chief Minister.

The need of a roof over one's head is a basic neccessity just like food and clothing. These poor people have been there with a little space/compound (for their children to play) and a safe roof for 200 years in a piece of land given to them on trust by the Brown family. So why now rob them of the basic necessity? Guan Eng had also lied that the people was offered compensation of RM200,000 and that many had accepted the offer and moved.But in actual fact they were offered RM90,000 by developers far below market value and which is insuffient for them to buy a new property in any part of Penang and the actual number of houseowners who accepted the shortchanged deal were 7 and not many as claimed by Guan Eng ( 5 Malay families and 2 Indian families). As far as i am concerned he is a heartless man for lying and colluding with the developers in uprooting these people with a peanut offer of RM90,000. The villagers had clearly stated that it is not an issue of compensation but a matter of preserving their peaceful existence in their hereditary cultural living over a safe roof. The basic need of a safe roof is a fundamental Human Right. As a responsible Chief Minister and a man who claims to lead the Democratic Party he should be the first to protect and preserve their homes but instead robbing them of thier basic necessity and Human dignity. HINDRAF would vigourously resist any attempt to take away this fundamental right and dignity even if it means ending our friendship with DAP.

Yes I agree HINDRAF has been infiltrated by BN stooges and Police Special Branch which is trying hard to break the Movement. But i will not sit idle and see him destroy the fundamental right in the name of development of not only Indian Community but of any community for the matter.

HINDRAF calls upon other Pakatan Coalition leaders to advice this heartless Chief Minister.

P.Waytha Moorthy

Chairman

HINDRAF

Frustrated villagers want Lim to quit - Malaysiakini

Kampung Buah Pala villagers in Penang have made clear their displeasure with Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng by urging him to resign over his failure to help them.

"If he can't acquire this land from the developer and preserve this village, he might as well resign from his post," said village residents' association assistant secretary C Tharmaraj.

Speaking to reporters at the village today, Tharmaraj accused Lim of being more keen in protecting the company's interest rather than that of the people's.

He said villagers are not blaming Lim as the cause of their predicament.

He said they only want the current state government to correct the malpractices of the past government.

"Is it too much to ask? If Lim can't do this for the people who voted for his government, he should just resign and go back to his home state of Malacca," he added.

He also questioned why Lim is afraid to use legal means to solve the problem.

The villagers are facing imminent eviction as the land has been sold to a company to be developed into a high-end residential estate.

Yesterday Lim defended his government by stating that it has never consented to or approved the demolition of Kampung Buah Pala.

The chief minster said Kampung Buah Pala is still standing today because of the intervention of his state government.

He had said any action taken against the residents has been initiated by the developer after obtaining a court order.

'Stop diverting blame'

Tharmaraj hit out at Lim for trying to divert blame to the previous BN government for the controversy and Hindraf for 'sensationalising' the issue.

"Lim should stop blaming others and turning it into a communal issue," he said, noting that issue is about the rights of citizens.

He said the controversy erupted because the past and current state governments have failed to recognise the people's rightful ownership to the land.

"Lim should be honest and sincere enough to admit that he had failed to exercise his executive powers to save our village.

"He has simply ignored and neglected us for past 15 months ... did not even bother to visit our village and talk to us."

Tharmaraj also slammed Lim for listening too much to his legal adviser Faiza Zulkifli and other senior civil servants in making decisions over the controversy.

He said Lim should have considered second legal opinions expressed by other lawyers such as Hindraf leader P Waythamoorthy, the village legal adviser Cecil Rajendra and even Balik Pulau parliamentarian Yusmadi Yusoff (left).

"His legal adviser is giving the wrong advice, maybe she has a conflict of interests ... who knows," he alleged.

He asked whether Lim feared a backlash from government officers if the state government were to re-acquire the land from its landowner, Koperasi Pegawai-Pegawai Kanan Kerajaan Pulau Pinang.

Tharmaraj also blasted the federal court judgment, which favoured the landowner and developer Nusmetro Venture (P) Sdn Bhd, pointing out that the three-member bench "got it all wrong" when it declared the villagers have no locus standi to bring up the matter.

Land appropriated 'by deception'

He recalled that the villagers' ancestors were brought to this place about 200 years ago as indentured labourers from South India to work in colonial estates.

He said the ancestors were given this land on free ownership by the Brown Estate Housing Trust before the Umno-dominated Malayan government turned it into a temporary occupation licence (TOL) settlement after Independence in 1957.

He said senior villagers would recall that their parents, mostly illiterate, were hoodwinked into signing documents about 50 years ago by government officers on the pretext of providing water and electricity supply to the village.

He said the villagers only now realised that their forefathers were duped by their own government to terminate their land ownership and turn the land into a TOL village.

In 2005, the state land office stopped TOL collections from the villagers, alienated the land under state ownership and subsequently sold it to the cooperative.

"Our very own government appropriated our land by deception.

"We have lived here for five generations, but the judges are saying we are tresspassers and squatters. Is this social justice? Is this the rule of law claimed by the chief minister?

"He can easily correct all the past wrongdoings by a single stroke of his pen. Lim should walk his talk," said Tharmaraj, who broke into tears at the end of the press conference.

Jawapan Parlimen: Pengharaman Hindraf kerana Pengerusi Keluar Negara

Tuan Manikavasagam a/l Sundaram [Kapar] minta Menteri Dalam Negeri menyatakan sebab-sebab Kerajaan mengharamkan pergerakan Hindraf. Apakah kewujudan bukti-bukti yang mengaitkan pergerakan tersebut dengan kumpulan penganas luar Negara.

Tuan Yang Pertua,

Untuk makluman Yang Berhormat, Hindraf adalah sebuah pertubuhan haram yang tidak berdaftar. Kumpulan ini telah diisytiharkan sebagai sebuah kumpulan haram pada 14 Oktober 2008 mengikut peruntukan Seksten 8(1) Akta Pendaftaran Pertubuhan 1966 (Akta 335). Tindakan penahanan lima (5) orang pemimpin Kumpulan Haram Hindraf (KHH) di bawah seksyen 8(1) AKDN 1960 adalah kerana tindak tanduk mereka menganjurkan aktiviti-aktiviti yang jelas mebangkitkan sentiment perkauman dan agama yang serius yang boleh mencetuskan konflik antara kaum dan seterusnya memudaratkan kententeraman awam dan keselamatan Negara. Mereka juga telah menganjurkan perhimpunan-perhimpunan yang membangkitan sentiment sehingga mencetuskan tindakan-tindakan yang berunsur keagamaan.

Maklumat perisikan telah mendedahkan terdapat usaha-usaha oleh Kumpulan Haram Hindraf (KHH) untuk mendapatkan bantuan dan sokongan dari Negara luar. Maklumat perisikan juga melaporakan bahawa lawatan Waytha Moorthy a/l Ponnusamy , Pengerusi kumpulan ini ke luar Negara pada 28 November 2007 adalah diantara lainnya, untuk mendapatkan sokongan antarabangsa termasuk usaha mengadakan perjumpaan dengan pemimpin LTTE.

Penang Kampung Buah Pala controversy – Koh Tsu Koon should speak up as to whether he would make amends for his decisions as Penang Chief Minister

By Lim Kit Siang,

The former Penang Chief Minister and now Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon should speak up as to whether he would make amends for his decisions as Penang Chief Minister in the Kampung Buah Pala, Penang controversy by securing a Federal Government grant to Penang State Government to resolve the issue with “a stroke of the pen”?

The Penang Pakatan Rakyat government is now caught in a vice created by Koh’s administration although it had prevented the eviction of the residents in the area since the middle of last year.

Firstly, Koh must explain why as Chief Minister, his Executive Council had approved the state government land of Kampung Buah Pala to Koperasi Pegawai Kerajaan Pulau Pinang, first time on 18th August 2004 and second time on 8th June 2005 at a very low premium of RM6.42 million or RM20 per square feet.

Secondly, why Koh and his Exco subsequently halved the premium to RM3.21 million or only RM10 psf on the recommendation of the Umno Deputy Chief Minister – far below the market price of the prime land.

Thirdly, why Koh and the Penang State Government had not consulted the residents concerned before alienating the land which is now to be developed into the 14-storey luxury-living Oasis project with a Gross Development Value of RM150 million, comprising 490 condominium units (priced from RM240,000 to RM290,000) on the 2.6 hectare site.

It has been said that the Penang Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng can resolve the Kampung Buah Pala issue with “a stroke of the pen”. Yes, it can be resolved with “a stroke of the pen” but involving compensation for the RM150 million Oasis project.

Can the Penang State Government afford such a compensation?

Is Koh prepared to raise in Friday’s Cabinet meeting that the Federal Government make a grant to the Penang State Government for the amount needed to resolve Kampung Buah Pala issue with “a stroke of the pen” by the Penang Chief Minister?

Time has come for Koh to speak up or he will be failing his own KPI although he is the Cabinet monitor to oversee the KPIs of all Ministers.

The Oasis Condominium - By Anil Netto

Developer says villagers have until 2 Aug

The developer for the Oasis project, Nusmetro, says the High Chaparral villagers have until 2 Aug to leave the land, according to a media source. The developer is drawing a firm line in the sand.

The uncertainty over the fate of the Oasis project appears to have unnerved those interested in the condos. Check out their latest comments on this property :-

The Oasis condominium located at Gelugor, off Jalan Yeap Choy Ee in a residential neighbourhood with easy accessibility to Bayan Lepas, the mainland and Georgetown.

The development is well-served by numerous retail stores including Tesco and Queensbay, as well as hospitals, clinics, schools and University Sains Malaysia (USM). Nearby neighborhoods include Minden Heights, Taman Gelugor, Taman Brown, Taman Pekaka and University Place.

Location : Gelugor
Type : Condominium
Tenure : Leasehold
Built-up Area : approx. 1,041 to 1,183 sq.ft.
Developer : NUSMETRO VENTURE (P) SDN BHD

Facilities
24 hours security, CCTV, Wi-Fi, Ready centralized Astro point, Swimming Pool, Gym, Squash Court, Jacuzzi, Yoga Room, Courtyard, Barbeque Pit

Floor Plan Type A

Floor Plan Type B

Floor Plan Type C

Floor Plan Type D

Floor Plan Type D1

Location Map

Related News
At home in an ‘Oasis’

Hindraf Protest infront of DAP Perak

A group of 20 Hindraf supporters gathered staged a peaceful protest in front of the Perak DAP headquarters at Medan Istana at 4.30pm. More update on timely basis available at www.national-express-malaysia.blogspot.com

Villagers: No CM, it's you who got it wrong - Malaysiakini

The Penang chief minister was wrong to claim that Kampung Buah Pala residents were offered RM200,000 per family by the developer, according to spokesperson for the villagers.

Kampung Buah Pala Residents Association secretary J Steven Draviam said the developer, Nusmetro Venture (P) Sdn Bhd, had originally offered only a RM90,000 cash payment or a low-medium cost corner unit measuring 850 sq ft in the upcoming project, the Oasis.

“The developer has never offered RM200,000 per family... never. The chief minister got it all wrong. Perhaps he is getting wrong (information) from the wrong people,” he said, calling on Lim Guan Eng to visit the village to get first-hand information.

Lim had said yesterday that the village residents were offered up to RM200,000 per family by the developer, and that the sum had been accepted by some, while many others have chosen to stay put at the site.

He also said the developer would have evicted the residents in the middle of last year if not for the state government's timely intervention, which Steven duly acknowledged.

Nusmetro, meanwhile, has agreed to give a month's grace as of yesterday, to allow the state government to explore ways to resolve the predicament amicably.

Deputy Chief Minister 2 P Ramasamy announced this when he met the residents at the village yesterday afternoon. He also said the state government is working overtime on the matter.

“We understand your pain. We will do our best to achieve an amicable solution,” he assured them, in the presence of DCM 1 Mansor Othman, village legal adviser Cecil Rajendra and PKR state assistant secretary M Nyanasegaran.

The villages had filed an application yesterday morning to set aside an ex-parte order dated June 16 obtained by the land office, landowner Koperasi Pegawai-Pegawai Kanan Kerajaan Pulau Pinang and Nusmetro to issue a writ of possession effective tomorrow.

The application was filed on the behalf of the residents by lawyer Darshan Singh Khaira.

Three demands submitted

Yesterday evening, some 150 Hindu Rights Action Force activists and villagers held a rally outside Komtar to protest against what they called the “incompetence and ineptness” of the state government in resolving the problem.

They passed three resolutions and submitted these to Mansor at a dialogue session in Komtar after the rally. They want the state government to:

• stop the developer from demolishing the village;

• provide an alternative site for the Oasis project; and

• include three representatives, comprising the village association chairperson M Sugumaran and assistant secretary C Tharmaraj, and Hindraf activist N Ganesan in the state investigation team probing the alleged land scam in this matter.

Mansor, who heads the inquiry panel, said he would refer the resolutions to the state executive council for a decision.

Kampung Buah Pala is known among locals as the 'Tamil High Chaparral' - named after the popular television series - because of its population of cowherds, cattle and goats.

Despite Hindraf protest all calm on DAP front - Malaysiakini

Tarani Palani & Wong Pheak Zern

2:07pm The Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) protest at the DAP headquarters in Petaling Jaya attracted only a handful of activists from the banned movement and was over in less than 30 minutes.

Led by Hindraf coordinator K Selvam, about 10 people gathered opposite the building to protest mainly over the Kampung Buah Pala issue in Bukit Gelugor, Penang.

In Petaling Jaya, there were more police personnel than the Hindraf protesters.

Some protesters carried banners lashing out at DAP for not helping the villagers in Kampung Buah Pala in DAP-led Penang.

The protest was part of a nationwide demonstration in front of DAP offices organised today by Hindraf.

There was a bigger crowd in Penang where some 150 Hindraf supporters gathered at the state administration centre in Komtar.

And in Ipoh about 10 Hindraf supporters turned up at the DAP office to protest.

Developer Nusmetro Venture Sdn Bhd has obtained a writ to evict the Kampung Buah Pala villagers from their homes, which generations of their families have occupied for more than 200 years.

DAP ready to talk

Hindraf's point of contention is that the land is the last remaining Indian traditional urban village on the island.

“We consider it (Kampung Buah Pala) to be a heritage land,” Selvam told reporters after police had dispersed the gathering in Petaling Jaya.

Asked why the turnout was abysmal, Selvam said the protests were being carried out nationwide, and so there was no need to have many people at any one location.

Although there were no untoward incidents, there was momentary tension when the police ordered the protesters three times to diperse. This led to the deployment of a light strike unit.

Petaling Jaya police divison chief Arjunaidi Mohamed later confirmed that 50 police personnel had been deployed.

Ipoh Timor MP Lim Kit Siang, who arrived later, said DAP MPs do not run away from problems and were willing to talk to Hindraf on the matter.

He said DAP stands for “justice for all races”, and that Hindraf should not hurl allegations at the party.

The matter is of great concern, he said, but the hands of the Penang government were tied because of decisions made by the previous Gerakan-led state government.

Other DAP leaders present were Ipoh Barat MP, M Kulasegaran and Perak exco member A Sivanesan.

'Not unduly worried'

Earlier today, staff at the DAP headquarters in Petaling Jaya said they were not unduly worried about the protest.

Head of staff Foo Yueh Chuan said when contacted that Hindraf had not provided direct information about the protest.

She said the party only found out about this through media reports and text-messages that were circulated.

The party headquarters, with a staff-force about 15, is located in a housing area in Paramont Garden, Petaling Jaya.

Apart from the Kampung Buah Pala issue, Hindraf is also unhappy that the DAP-led government in Penang has not tackled problems affecting the Indian Malaysian community.

The organisers had planned to mobilise some 10,000 activists to demonstrate outside Komtar - which houses the Penang government office - and DAP offices in Petaling Jaya, Ipoh, Damansara, Seremban, Johor Bahru and Malacca.

These rallies, the first by Hindraf against a Pakatan Rakyat ally, are a blow to Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who has positioned his government as one based on competency, accountability and transparency.

The federal government banne