The demolition of an elderly couple’s home on Jalan Kolam Air, Kuala Lumpur, will be halted until the family is settled in alternative housing, Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh’s office said.
Yeoh’s office stated that the directive applies to all affected structures, which include the couple’s home and an adjoining house belonging to their daughter and grandson, Webster Ong.
“We have checked with the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL). There will be no demolition works until the living arrangement is resolved,” a spokesperson from the office said.
The spokesperson added that the office will arrange for alternative housing for the daughter and Ong, as their house is targeted for demolition.
“Our commitment to them is to work on alternative housing for the daughter and grandson before demolition works (continue),” the spokesperson, who requested anonymity, added.
Surveying discrepancy
The 80-year-old couple, who wish to be identified as Mr and Mrs Low, had lived in their house on Jalan Kolam Air for more than six decades, even before DBKL was established.
Last week, Malaysiakini reported that three-quarters of their home, as well as their daughter’s house next door, would be dismantled to make way for a road expansion project.
The family was issued an eviction notice from DBKL nine months ago, stating that portions of the land on which their house stands belong to DBKL.
Yet for the past six decades, the family was under the impression that they owned the land their properties were on, as Low acquired a title from DBKL in 1998.
It was only recently discovered that the land the family has been living on all this time was not the lot Low purchased due to a surveying discrepancy.
The land parcel that Low acquired decades ago is allegedly occupied by illegal squatters, said Persatuan Kebajikan Biro Bantuan Sentul, an NGO helping the couple.
Temporary housing a relief
Yeoh’s office also clarified that only a small portion of the couple’s home would be dismantled, and the demolition would not leave them homeless.
The office also claimed that the couple had previously agreed to allow authorities to remove parts of the house that encroached onto DBKL land, as they were unable to do so themselves.
Despite the prospect of their homes being torn down, the temporary housing offered through Yeoh’s office has provided some relief for Ong.
The grandson said a representative from the MP’s office had texted him earlier this afternoon, confirming that demolition works would not begin until the family had been relocated to a new home.
He was also told to visit DBKL tomorrow to collect an offer letter from the city council for temporary housing.
“I have received a text message from Yeoh’s representative stating that they had informed DBKL not to demolish our house until we move to the temporary housing.
“For now, we will all move to the provided housing until all is resolved before returning,” he told Malaysiakini. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.