Penang CM orders developer to withdraw eviction notice

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has ordered the developer who sent an eviction notice on the eve of Hari Raya to 22 villagers to vacate their homes in Batu Uban to withdraw the letter.

Lim, who was in South Korea on an official visit when he first heard of the matter, said he was shocked that the developer had told the villagers to vacate their homes by Aug 31, which is Merdeka Day.

State PAS land and development bureau chief Iszuree Ibrahim had informed Lim about the matter via a SMS message, and the CM had then replied that he would meet with the villagers upon his return.

"At first, I could not believe what I heard - what kind of human being is this? This act is not acceptable by anyone," said Lim at a dialogue with the residents in Batu Uban yesterday.

"The residents were asked to leave their homes by Aug 31. There seems to be no Merdeka spirit in the developer," he added.

"We achieved Independence on Aug 31 from the British colonisers, but we do not want to replace them with local people who are even crueler," he stressed.

Developer may be blacklisted

Lim warned the lawyer representing the developer to request his client to withdraw the eviction notice received by the villagers on Aug 17 "or else we will blacklist him and he will no longer be able to do business in Penang".

The villagers applauded on hearing the tough talk from Lim.

The chief minister added that if the developer failed to comply with the order, the Penang Municipal Council and Land Office would be directed to be on standby at the site to prevent the eviction from taking place.

"Please do not be greedy and please do not force the state government to take further action," Lim warned the developer.

In the lawyer's letter, the developer said that discussions, which began three years ago between the two parties, have concluded.

It added that since the 22 villagers have rejected the developer's offer of compensation made on July 30, they were required to vacate the land by Aug 31.

No black and white offer 

Iszuree (below), who is also MPPP councillor, said negotiations for proper compensation between developer and the affected villagers - 48 in total - had not concluded officially, although 26 have agreed to accept the developer's offer.

He added that the remaining 22 families have no problems with the proposed development, but are demanding for a temporary home in the same area and a replacement unit or flat which should be at least 700sq ft in size.

Meanwhile, Lim alleged the developer was bold in taking action because he had strong political backing from "you know who".

When Lim said this, a villager cried: "Just say it, tell us who they are!"

The Penang CM however merely replied, "You and I know."

He added that even if certain companies had strong support from political leaders from either side of the divide, rule of law must be complied with and humanity shown.