Crowd gathers, no sign of demolition - Malaysiakini

Some 300 people have gathered in support of the Kampung Buah Pala villagers in Penang after the deadline for the villagers to vacate the land expired yesterday.

Among those present are members of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), MIC, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) and non-government organisation Jerit.

Until now, there is no sign that the village would be demolished.

According to journalists on the ground, "There are no bulldozers, policemen or local council officers at the site."

Luxury condominium project

The villagers face eviction to pave the way for luxury condominium project, called the Oasis, to be built by Nusmetro Venture.

The developer has given the villagers until today to move out before their 20-odd houses are demolished to make way for the project.

However, the Penang government - which has come under intense pressure over the issue - last week revoked the development order and it is unclear whether the developer will proceed to evict the villagers tomorrow.

Yesterday, the Penang Government Officers Cooperative, the sole owner of the Kampung Buah Pala land, remained adamant that the houses would be demolished today.

Cooperative chairperson Abdul Razak Mansor said Nusmetro had been instructed to obey the Federal Court decision, which has granted ownership of the land to the cooperative.

"We are not cruel, but our decision to demolish the village still stands because the court has decided the land is ours," he said.