The Perak state government has relented to the demands of 43 squatter families in Kampung KTM for decent alternative housing has borne fruit after a seven-year struggle.

The government has agreed to relocate all the 43 families in Taman Klebang in Sungai Siput instead of the original plan to split the families into two groups at different locations.

ktm land sungai siput perak protest 070709 08 The original plan was to house 20 families in Taman Klebang and the rest in a flood-prone low-lying area situated near Kampung Perik.

Even with the threat of a two-week eviction notice by the land office, did not deter the families from fighting for their basic rights.

They had the moral support and backing of Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) members and Sungai Siput MP Jeyakumar who gave their time and energy to make it possible.

They provided legal help and arranged for media publicity to help these families who have been on the railway land for the past 30 years.

Closed door meeting

State special advisor on Indian affairs to Mentri Besar Zambry Abdul Kadir, S. Veerasingam met representatives from Kampung KTM and PSM members, including Jeyakumar in a closed door meeting at the Sungai Siput land office this morning.

"The state government has agreed to their demands to relocate all the 43 squatter families from Kampung KTM in only place - Taman Klebang," said Veerasingam after the meeting.

"However, the area of the lot for each family will be reduced in size from 50x80ft to 45x80ft to accommodate all the 43 families in the same housing estate.

They have also requested that they draw up lots for the relocation process using their own surveyor, to which we have agreed."

Families will also be compensated

When asked whether the two-week eviction notice will be cancelled by the land office, Veerasingam said there was no need, "as it is only a formal procedure of the land office."

"The land office will send the families offer letters for relocation to Taman Klebang once it has received the building plans for the lots.

NONE "Gamuda Bhd has agreed to give a transport allowance of RM1,000 for each family to relocate to the new site.

"Also each family will be compensated with a RM300 monthly allowance over 24 months for vacating the railway land," said Veerasingam (right) .

The 43 squatter families had been given a two-week eviction notice on July 3 and asked to make way for a double-tracking railway project by Gamuda Bhd.

The families stuck by each other and refused the deal offered to them which required 23 families shifting to a swampy low-lying flood prone area.

Joss stick seller's fate on Monday

Meanwhile, 64 year-old joss stick business man Liew Chin Nam who has been trading his wares on railway land, in Chemor, Perak may know his fate on Monday.

Liew had also been given a two-week notice by the land office to vacate his premises by Jul 17 or face eviction.

liew chin nam yew kheong joss stick manufacturer ktm land perak 240609 02 Today, Liew with PSM's K Kunasekaran, made a last-minute appeal to Zambry at the state secretariat to cancel the land office's eviction notice.

Last week, Liew (left) applied for an injunction at the Ipoh High Court to stop the land office from evicting him from his business premises.

They were met by Zambry's special assistant Azhar who ticked off Liew for going through special advisor for Chinese Affairs Chang Ko Youn instead of coming directly to him for help.

Azhar then told Liew that he will discuss the matter with Zambry on Monday and inform him on the outcome of meeting with the Mentri Besar.