Prior agreement in place over elderly couple's home issue - minister's office

 

The Federal Territories Minister’s office has clarified that the elderly couple facing demolition of their home in Kuala Lumpur had previously agreed for authorities to tear down portions encroaching onto Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) land.

According to a spokesperson from Hannah Yeoh's office, the couple had previously arranged for DBKL contractors to dismantle the structures on Jalan Kolam Air to make way for a planned road expansion project in the area because they were unable to do so themselves.

The spokesperson said the couple last engaged with DBKL contractors in November last year, when they discussed and agreed on the terms, adding that it was perplexing why the matter had resurfaced despite the prior understanding.

“Arrangements had been made between DBKL contractors and the family.

“DBKL had also agreed to reinstate parts of the unaffected house if it were to be damaged during demolition works,” the spokesperson, who requested anonymity, told Malaysiakini.

Earlier this week, Malaysiakini reported that the couple was informed that three-quarters of their home, as well as their daughter’s adjoining house, would be dismantled.

The issue emerged nine months ago when DBKL served the family an eviction notice, stating that portions of the land on which the house stands were required for a road expansion project.

Land discrepancy

A land discrepancy later came to light, revealing that a significant portion of the structure was built on land that the couple did not legally own, placing the homeowners, who have lived there for more than six decades, at risk of losing much of their house.

However, the spokesperson stressed that only a small portion of the house would be demolished, disputing claims that most of it would be torn down and that the couple would be rendered homeless.

Malaysiakini was also informed that the demolition only involves extended sections of the house built on DBKL reserve land.

“Since the structures were built on DBKL land, it is within its right to remove them,” the spokesperson added, stressing that the local council had not rushed the family to carry out the demolition.

However, demolition works would need to move forward, as funds for the project had already been allocated since last year, and further delay could disrupt its implementation.

While demolition has already taken place on surrounding abandoned houses, the couple’s home was temporarily spared during the Chinese New Year period.

Persatuan Kebajikan Biro Bantuan Sentul adviser M Saravanan said the family had earlier sought assistance from Yeoh, who is also Segambut MP, but yielded little progress.

According to the couple’s daughter, the family and NGO appealed for support, including assistance from Yeoh’s office to secure a People’s Housing Project unit as temporary housing. - Mkini