Evicted residents protest in Komtar, urge CM's intervention

A group of residents from Padang Tembak, Air Itam, staged a peaceful protest today at Level 3 of the Komtar building, which houses the entrances to the state government's offices, urging Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow to stop them from being evicted from their homes.

Led by Padang Tembak public housing project committee coordinator Kathiges Rajamanickam, the small group of protestors representing 15 families carried placards saying "The poor also need homes", "We want to meet Jagdeep", and "Let's discuss".

Jagdeep Singh Deo is the state executive councillor for housing, town and country planning, and the affected families are living in a public housing project under the Penang Island City Council.

Kathiges said the group has been trying to meet with state government officials since they were served the eviction notice on December 29 last year.

"We just need one meeting either with Jagdeep or the chief minister so we can explain our plight to them, and to seek their help to help us resolve the eviction facing the families, these people have a right to their homes," Kathiges told Malaysiakini when contacted.

In the memorandum sent to Chow and Jagdeep, Kathiges expressed shock that the affected families were told to move out from their homes today by the state housing department.

"Their houses will be locked if they do not move out by June 1, which is today," Kathiges, who is a PSM committee member, said.

"There is propaganda in the media saying the affected ones did not pay their monthly rent, the families admit there was a problem earlier, but in recent months, the rental payment has been satisfactory," he added.

When contacted, Kebun Bunga assemblyperson Jason Ong said he has just been informed about the matter and would seek to address the issue after studying the facts of the case.

"Anyhow, I would urge the state government to grant an extension of time, pending a resolution to all these issues," he told Malaysiakini. -Mkini