Residents of Kampung Penaga in Petaling Jaya, Selangor are crying foul over a developer's refusal to negotiate with them before the Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (MPPJ) decided to relocate them.

According to Kampung Penaga Residents Welfare Association chairperson Abdul Muin Ahmad, the developer, TD Management Sdn Bhd, refused to deal with the residents directly.

"They refused even though we are a legitimate organisation," he told malaysiakini today.

According to Abdul Muin the developer held discussions with an Umno development bureau — picked by MPPJ and Kelana Jaya state assembly member Mokhtar Dahlan — to represent the residents.

"This is what we regretted. As residents of the area, we have the right to voice our opinion," he said.

The relocation process, which will start on July 23, will affect about 160 families in the village which has been in existence for more than 30 years.

Residents intimidated

In a protest letter to MPPJ president Emran Kadir on Wednesday, Abdul Muin said the council not only failed to consult the residents, it also intimidated them into relocating and agreeing to the low-cost housing deal offered.

Abdul Muin claimed that MPPJ officials allegedly threatened to demolish the houses and bring the matter to court if they refused to accept the deal.

The residents were offered 'low-cost' flats in Kampung Penaga, built by TD Management, for the price of RM35,000 per unit.

The flats will be completed in two years and in the meantime, the residents will be relocated to a temporary settlement in Lembah Subang.

They were also offered compensation of RM1,000 if they agreed to move.

It is learnt that the developer, much to the chagrin of the residents, will deduct RM596 from the amount for a two-month rental deposit and maintenance fees.

However, the developer will pay the RM124 monthly rental for two years, until the flats in Kampung Penaga are completed.

Transportation woes

Meanwhile, Abdul Muin also urged the developer to contribute RM50 monthly for each school-going child in the village for transportation purposes until the flats are completed.

Lembah Subang is located about 15km away from the school where most of the residents' children are studying.

"Furthermore, there is no religious class in Lembah Subang hence the children would need to commute back to Kampung Penaga for such classes," said Abdul Muin.

Besides this, he said, the developer should also consider the demand of the residents who do not wish to buy the low-cost flats offered to them.

"For those who do not want to buy the house, we ask for reasonable compensation, where the quantum would be decided through negotiation between the developer and the residents," he said.

Currently, Kampung Penaga residents are assisted by DAP national publicity secretary Ronnie Liu and Seputeh member of parliament Teresa Kok.

Residents are also asking for the relocation process to be postponed until the end of the year.

TD Management officials could not be reached for comment.