'Where do we go now’ - PKNS flat residents
KUALA LUMPUR - The Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) flat residents in Sungai Baru, Kampong Bharu, here, are restless when they were asked to vacate their homes.
The order which came without a specific date was issued through an official letter dated March 21 from the Federal Territories Department of the Director General of Lands and Mines.
Hashim Mohd Salleh, 63, a resident who ran a catering business in the area, said he was shocked when he received the notice about a week before Ramadan.
"When I read the letter that said we need to vacate the house, I was shocked, angry and upset.
“Looking for a house in Kampong Bharu is definitely difficult and it is even more difficult with the current situation, during the fasting month and the upcoming Hari Raya celebration. Where are we supposed to go.
“We are now stuck between moving or continuing to live here because there is no specific date yet on the order," he told Sinar Harian on Thursday
The father of six had also requested for the relevant authorities to give a longer period of time or a specific date for them to move out and not leave them hanging.
"We have to fight for ourselves in the current situation. It is true that we received a sum of money, but that is not what we wanted, we accepted it so that it would not be handed over to the Baitulmal,” he said.
PKNS residents were said to have received compensation of between RM200,000 and RM250,000, but they had demanded for a higher amount due to the the current situation.
According to another resident, Anuar Ahmad, 60, not all of them received the notice to vacate their homes as each of them went through a different process to receive the notice.
“I just received a compensation of RM244,660 on March 30 and like what Hashim said, if we did not take the money, it will be given to the Baitulmal.
"We have no choice and I expect to be given a notice to vacate the house by Syawal," he said.
Meanwhile, another resident who did not want to be named said his family did not receive the notice as they were willing to move out.
The land acquisition issue in Kampong Bharu became a hot topic again when the government was said to have used the Land Acquisition Act 1960 at the golden triangle in the capital city for development.
The redevelopment plan covers PKNS flats and houses on private lands.
It is understood that 70 per cent of the owners in the areas had purportedly agreed to the redevelopment of the area and already put their signatures.
In August, last year, several residents who have yet put their signatures, had received a notice of investigation in accordance with Form F, Land Acquisition Act 1960.
They were asked to appear at the Land and Mines Office (PTG) between Aug 23 and 26 for assessment by the PTG.
