Rajen (centre) and Ramachandran (back row, second right) with families from the settlement and representatives from PDT Hulu Langat, MPKj and Boustead Balau at the cheque presentation. — SAMUEL ONG/The Star
A GROUP of squatters who have been staying for decades on a piece of government-owned reserve land in Jalan Broga, Semenyih in Selangor, have received compensation from a developer towards their relocation.
During a meeting at the Mutiara Hills sales gallery, five families from the settlement each received a cheque for RM50,000.
A cheque for RM15,000 was also presented to the caretakers of three Hindu shrines there.
Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) councillor Ramachandran Arjenan said compensation for the families was intended to help them buy or rent new homes.
He said the RM15,000 was to compensate for losses incurred by the relocation of the shrines, with the amount evenly distributed for the three shrines.
He added that the relocation was necessary to make way for the developer to build infrastructure in line with MPKj’s standards and requirements.
“The developer is required to prepare facilities such as an access road, drainage and other utilities as outlined in the planning approval that has been granted.
“Based on the development plan, the houses of the squatters would have been affected,” said Ramachandran.
According to developer Boustead Balau Sdn Bhd, its Mutiara Hills township project would take up some 485.6ha of land and be divided into three sectors.
The construction of Sector 1 is divided into five phases.
The developer is required to build an access road that connects to 274 units of double-storey terrace houses in Phase 1.
Constraints were faced due to the presence of the settlement located about 300m from the sales gallery.
Ramachandran said a resolution between the squatters and Boustead Balau was achieved in a meeting on Aug 7, after years of engagements, discussions and negotiations.
“They (the squatters) wanted housing or cash compensation for relocation and the developer stepped forward to resolve the issue.
“Initially, they were required to vacate the land by Oct 7 at the latest.
“However, to give them time to find a new home and prepare for Deepavali celebrations, we have agreed to extend the evacuation deadline to Nov 19, which is two months from the issuance of the cheques,” he said.
He confirmed that no further extension would be granted.
He added that the five families held a temporary occupation licence (TOL) that expired in the 1970s and were never renewed.
Meanwhile, Ramachandran said he would work to relocate a cowshed located on the reserve land.
“A meeting between MPKj, Hulu Langat District and Land Office (PDT Hulu Langat), the developer and the owner of the cowshed will soon be held.
“I will try to get the owner a temporary occupation licence and help with the relocation,” he said.
Also present were Hulu Langat MP Mohd Sany Hamzan’s special officer Rajen Munusamy and representatives from Boustead Balau, PDT Hulu Langat and MPKj.
Rajen, who is also a former MPKj councillor, presented the compensation cheques to the families.
