For King, Berjaya cancels meeting

Out of respect for the King's birthday, Berjaya denies permission to Vell Paari to meet its workers in the Nigel Gardner estate tomorrow.

KUALA LUMPUR: Berjaya Group has denied permission for MIC leader S Vell Paari to hold a meeting with its workers in the Nigel Gardner estate in Hulu Selangor tomorrow.

In a letter dated today, Berjaya’s general manager Sandy Tham said the decision was made because tomorrow was the King’s birthday, which was a public holiday.

“The management has decided not to allow any activities to be held in our estate as a mark of respect for our King,” she added in the letter addressed to local MIC branch leader P Nagamuthu.

On June 1, Nagamuthu had filed an official request on behalf of Vell Paari for the latter to meet the residents at the Nigel Gardner Tamil school canteen.

After visiting the Berjaya-owned estate last Saturday, Vell Paari, who was appalled by the living conditions of the residents, had mooted the idea of relocating them.

Tomorrow’s meeting was supposed to determine how many of the residents wished to relocate and to document their grievances.

‘Hopefully, this is not an excuse’

Contacted later, Vell Paari said he was disappointed that Berjaya had cancelled the meeting.

“But since the management mentioned that it is out of respect for the King, then I will abide by their decision. Hopefully, it is not a convenient excuse to prevent me from meeting the workers.

“I am also hearing rumours that residents are being threatened not to meet me. I hope this is not true as well. As for the residents, I urge them not to be afraid. I guarantee that no action will be taken against them for exercising their right to speak up,” he told FMT.

Despite the setback, Vell Paari said that he would meet some of the residents outside the estate tomorrow and brief them on his plan.

“I have also discussed the matter with the prime minister’s special aide, and I will submit the residents’ complaints to him,” he added.

Vell Paari, who would be leaving for overseas tomorrow night, said that he would request for another meeting to be held in the estate next Sunday when he returns in a week.

Berjaya is owned by business tycoon Vincent Tan while Nigel Gardner and the surrounding estates fall under the Hulu Selangor parliamentary constituency held by MIC’s P Kamalanathan.

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