Villagers accuse MCA reps of breaking promise 
Malaysiakini
Sep 20, 2006
Andrew Ong

MCA leaders broke their promise! This is what several evicted residents of Kampung Michael Cheng in Petaling Jaya claim.

According to them, two MCA elected representatives had promised them land grants but this never materialised.

Demolition works carried out by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MPBJ) since Aug 31 has reduced the 141 brick-and-mortar single-story terrace houses to rubble.

However, Petaling Jaya Utara MP Chew Mei Fun denied that she had promised them the grants prior to the 2004 general election.

The MCA leader claimed that opposition party DAP was exploiting the issue and taking advantage of the residents.

“What I promised is that I will try my best to obtain the grants for them. I have tried and delivered whatever I can,” she said when contacted.

The residents’ ordeal started in the 1970's when they were urged to move to the village located in Seri Setia during the communist insurgency. Most of them agreed when told they would receive grants to the land.

Since 2002, there have been repeated threats to demolish their houses as the villagers were deemed as squatters, despite a majority of them being legitimate ratepayers.

Appeal letter

This morning, former residents Lim Bee Choon and Tee Chai Huat showed reporters their recent utility bills, assessment receipts and news clippings during a press conference organised by the DAP PJ Action Team (PAT).

Their point of contention was a letter carrying the signatures of Chew and Kg Tunku assemblyperson Wong Sai Hou distributed during the politicians’ door-to-door election campaign in the area.

The appeal letter urged Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo to expedite the grants. The letter also bore Khir’s signature with a short note from the menteri besar calling on the district officer to ‘consider’ the appeal.

Mohd Khir’s note was dated March 14, 2004 - one week before the general election.

During election time, Lim and Tee said villagers were assured that their grants were ‘almost ready’ and that the letter was the proof.

“We were told (by several MCA representatives) that we cannot seek help from the opposition and maintain a ‘low-profile’ in handling the matter,” said Lim.

False hope

Meanwhile, PAT advisor Ronnie Liu lambasted MCA elected representatives for making empty promises and giving the residents false hope.

He said the representatives should admit their mistake and apologise.

In defence, Chew said MCA had tried its best to obtain the grants but they could not supercede the state government’s decision to develop the land.

“As far as we are concerned, the villagers are well taken care of,” she added

There was also an allegation that some evicted residents were allowed to only buy one low-cost flat unit when their house in Kampung Michael Chen housed more than one family.

Commenting on this, Chew said: “My door is always open. If there are still problems they can come see me.”

The residents are currently housed in transit homes in Kota Damansara and Lembah Subang. They have been offered low-cost flat units which will be built on the site of their former houses.