Photo: SINAR HARIAN
KLANG: A cashier's dream of holding her wedding at her family's home in Kampung Papan, Pandamaran, was shattered after the home, where her family had lived for the past 40 years, was demolished for a development project.
V. Harina, 40, said the house was built by her father, K. Visuanthan, 62, with a capital of about RM30,000. It was waiting to be demolished on Thursday (Nov 13).
"I planned to have a wedding ceremony at this house in June next year, but everything was destroyed."
"Our family is currently forced to stay at my uncle's house in Port Klang temporarily, and we only brought essential items; the rest had to be left behind," he said when met by Sinar Harian here, on Thursday (Nov 13).
Harina, an employee at a supermarket in Pandamaran, expressed her heartbreak upon seeing that the house her father built with his own hands was set to be demolished.
"This house is full of stories and family memories from when I was little until now. I can't imagine it being demolished like that," he added.
A 65-year-old senior citizen, Luar Tuan Huat, admitted that he is facing a difficult time after the house he lived in for over 60 years was demolished, leaving him homeless.
"I don't know where to spend the night. I'm not ready to vacate the house yet."
"I pleaded to postpone it for another two days for us to pack up and remove the house boards, but it is understood that the demolition work will still be carried out," he explained.
He said he was living with other family members, including one who was still in school, while looking for a new place to call home.
"There were many things that I didn't have time to move; some had to be left outside. The notice was short, only two weeks, so I didn't have time to take care of everything," he said.
"I am also worried about the fate of children who are still in school after suddenly losing their homes," he said.
Pandamaran State Assemblyman (ADUN) Leong Tuck Chee urged developers to be considerate towards the villagers affected by the demolition work in the area.
He said the state government had held a series of discussions with the developer to find the best solution, and the developer had agreed to hand over 2.8he of land to the state government as part of the resettlement measures.
"The state government will distribute the land to a subsidiary for redevelopment and distribution to residents," he said when met.
According to him, although the developer had provided an offer letter regarding the land in question, several of the conditions set were considered inappropriate and were being refined.
"I have discussed it with the Selangor State Housing and Culture Exco, Datuk Borhan Aman Shah, and we have agreed to sign an agreement with the developer so that the land can be distributed to the residents as soon as possible," he said.
Tuck Chee said that the Selangor Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, has also instructed Permodalan Negeri Selangor Berhad to discuss the form of compensation or assistance that can be channelled to the affected residents.
"We want all parties to resolve this matter amicably, without fuss. I hope the developer can be tolerant and not be too strict, give the residents some space," he explained.
He informed that so far, about 70 houses have been demolished, while another 30 were still waiting their turn after the notice was issued.
"There are residents who have moved to temporary rental houses, including in the Taman Klang Jaya area.
"The state government is also arranging housing assistance through a house rental scheme under the Rumah Selangorku with rates ranging from RM450 to RM900 per month, depending on the area," he said.
On Wednesday (Nov 12), several police officers and members of the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) were stationed at Kampung Papan while demolition work was being carried out.
It was reported that the situation became chaotic when some residents became aggressive.
North Klang OCPD Asst Comm Ramli Kasa went to the scene of the incident to review the situation.
On Thursday, (Nov 11), the demolition of 20 houses in Pampung Papan began. The action shocked residents because it was reported that some homes, which were still occupied, were also demolished.
