Fighting for housing rights

Monday, 20 February 2012 22:20

Balik Pulau MP Yusmadi Yusoff has asked Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to probe possible irregularities in development projects in Balik Pulau, Penang.

“I invite them to investigate but if there is none (no irregularities), then it is fine.

“So far there are about 80 families which are facing court cases after they were asked to leave by developers,” he said.

“I was told by those affected that there were no discussions made nor were they informed by the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) on the development projects that were approved,” he added.

“If the council said that they had discussed with the villagers involved, please show us the proof.

“We do not reject development but what we want is development that can benefit the people and is sustainable,” he said.

Yusmadi said the affected villages in Balik Pulau had elected a representative each and had formed a task force called the ‘Rights to Land & Housing Task Force’ which he heads.

Speaking at a press conference at his People’s Rights Centre in Pekan Simpang Empat on Jalan Balik Pulau, yesterday, he said the task force was set up to manage housing rights such as eviction and the welfare of those affected.

Yusmadi also pledged that he would not offer himself to contest again for the Balik Pulau parliamentary seat should any house that he was representing be demolished.

MPPP councillor Harvinder Singh said when a developer proposed a project, the council’s One Stop Centre (OSC) would view his proposal and would ask the council’s Planning Department to issue notification letters to the site’s neighbouring lot to see if there were any objections.

“This is done under Section 21 (6) of the Local Act. Should there be no objection from the neighbouring lots, a second notice will be issued to inform them on the development which will happen in their area,” he said when contacted.

“Letters will be issued to neighbouring lot within 20m of the surrounding project site,” he said.

Harvinder, who is also an OSC committee member, said the centre would then review the proposal again and impose conditions to the developer based on the feedback from neighbouring lots as well as infrastructure companies.

From TheStar