GEORGE TOWN, March 7 – Several residents at the Sandilands Foreshore, in C.Y Choy Road are facing an uncertain future as their houses are expected to make way for a new development soon without any clear notice on compensation. Tay Kooi Chooi, 54, who has been staying there for more than 50 years, said some of the residents here claimed that the developer had arranged for a meeting individually with house owners and some of them had signed the compensation agreement.
She hoped the developer or its appointed lawyer, would meet all the residents here openly to discuss proper guidelines on the compensation as it involves about 100 families. She said she was told that they need to move out by end of this month (March 31) but they did not receive any notice of eviction and was not sure of the information. She told this to the reporters after a press conference held by Chairman of Barisan Nasional Tanjong, Oh Tong Keong here today.
Another resident Ch’ng Lay Choo, 63, a housewife, said she hoped that they would be given time until end of May in order to carry out their last “Cheng Beng” (Tomb Sweeping Day), here before moving out. She said she hope that they will be given more time to move out. On compensation, she said she hope house owners will be given a unit in the new project. She also added that their assemblyman, Pengkalan Kota’s Lau Keng Ee, had turned a deaf ear to their plight.
Oh meanwhile, urged elected state representatives to come down to the ground to help the residents as many of them claimed it was difficult to meet their assemblyman. He said the Tanjong BN will send a letter to the project developer to seek clarification on compensation as well as extend the eviction period to end of May.
“We advised Tanjung Villa Development Sdn Bhd to empathise with those that had agreed to the compensation agreement. This is to facilitate a smooth relocation which to allow those that had agreed the compensation enough time to relocate. Tanjong Villa Development should know that most of the stakeholders had jus finished celebrating Chinese New Year and soon will the observing the Qing Ming Prayer,” Oh said.
“For many in the community to relocated by 31 March 2016 is inauspicious and not practical. Barisan Nasional Tanjong suggests that the date be extended to 31 May 2016 for those that need the additional time. The Chief Minister of Penang has stated that its purpose to provide affordable housing for the people as well as to alleviate the problem of the 54 houses at this site,” he said.
“A few stakeholders had signed and had already moved out from Sandilands Foreshore site. However, there is no clear information when they will receive the one-time relocation payment of Rm1,500 and the minimum RM700 monthly rental. They need to be assisted to obtain their payments,” he added.
A check by Bernama with the developer office, revealed that the project known as Sandilands Foreshore project was a joint-venture with the Penang Development Corporation and construction expected to begin early next year. The project comprising 800 units of Low-Medium Cost and Affordable housing is expected to be completed by 2020.
Meanwhile, state executive councillor on housing Jagdeep Singh Deo when contacted urged the residents to meet him to discuss the issue so that the state government can look into the matter. Also present were Penang Gerakan SLC Member, Albert Tan Kah Leong; Penang Gerakan Liaison Committee member, H’ng Khoon Leng; Penang MCA Youth deputy secretary, Ooi Teik Liang; Penang Tanjung MCA Youth Chief Lim Swee Bok; and MCA Komtar task force head, Tan Hing Teik.
