A group of 36 families comprising former residents of Ladang Rini in Skudai, Johor has given MIC an ultimatum to resolve a 44-year land ownership issue involving Koperasi Pekerja Jaya (KPJ) which is linked to the party.
Representing the families, M Subramaniam, 67, said they will not hesitate to campaign against MIC in the next general election if the issue surrounding over 2.4ha of land failed to be resolved.
"Today we challenge MIC leaders to come for a settlement, or face us on the ground.
"We are deeply disappointed by the actions of certain MIC leaders who continue to cheat us.
"We are prepared to come down to every Parliament seat contested by MIC and campaign against them in the next general election," Subramaniam told a press conference in Sentul yesterday.
Earlier yesterday, the group handed over a memorandum to the Malaysian Cooperatives Commission and KPJ over the land issue.
Low compensation
The disputed land was sold in 1978 by the owner of Ladang Rini to 47 estate workers at RM32,000.
Subsequently, the land was transferred to KPJ on the condition that it would be developed in two and a half years with semi-detached houses.
According to Subramaniam, the promise was made by then MIC president S Samy Vellu as KPJ chairperson.
However, in 2016, KPJ started a double-storey house project without consultation with the plantation workers.
"The price was RM500,000 per unit and it was beyond our means. After several meetings with KPJ and Samy Vellu, the cooperative promised to provide compensation.
"However, we were shocked by KPJ's offer of only RM35,000 per family and now raised to RM50,000. About 36 families rejected the offer and only nine accepted the compensation.
"This is our land that we bought. After 44 years we were only given RM50,000 per family. Is that fair?" he asked.
Malaysiakini has contacted MIC deputy president M Saravanan, who is also the KPJ chairperson, and KPJ's office for comments.
The group earlier urged KPJ to meet at least one of two demands - an RM200,000 compensation for each family or a free house.
"If they can't fulfil at least one of these two demands, KPJ can take back their house and return our land," Subramaniam said.
About 64 units of double-storey houses have been built on the land, with close to 60 units sold, he added. - Mkini
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