A scheduled demolition of 27 houses of former plantation workers in Shah Alam fizzled out yesterday when landowner Kumpulan Guthrie Berhad called it off again - the second time in two weeks.

Advisor to Ladang Bukit Jelutong Rasak residents committee, A Arutchelvan, said the people had gathered at the site since morning but the demolition crew did not turn up.

"Only several Special Branch officers were present. Uniformed police and Shah Alam city council officers were nowhere to be seen," he said.

"While the people are glad that their homes have been spared, they are still worried about future demolition plans."

Counter-offer

Arutchelvan said their lawyer had sent Guthrie's lawyer a counter-offer asking for a discounted price for the low medium-cost apartments offered to the ex-workers in Bukit Jelutong.

The housing project is expected to be completed in three years.

"What we really want is for both parties to reach an amicable solution. Once this is resolved, everything else will be okay," he added.

When contacted, Shah Alam deputy district police chief Supt Shah Ghazali said he had advised Guthrie to be "absolutely sure" about their legal standing in the matter.

"I told them to satisfy themselves as to their legal liability. If there matters are still pending in court, those should be settled first because we don't want to be involved in any contempt of court action later," he said.

In fact, he said, the stand-off between Guthrie and the ex-workers was a private matter.

"Our primary role is to prevent any public disorder which could be caused by either party. I wish to reiterate here that we do not side anyone."

Memo to Suhakam

In early March, the residents committee sent a memorandum to Guthrie chairperson Musa Hitam, who was formerly Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) chief.

In June, the committee sent a memorandum to Suhakam complaining about police's mistreatment against them .

Last week, they again appealed to Musa for intervention and a speedy resolution.

Contacted later, Guthrie project manager for property development Zarul Akmar Abdul Aziz said the company was only exercising its right over its land.

"The demolition exercise is our right because the land is ours."

He said the workers used women and children to form blockades whenever they got wind of demolition plans.

On claims of being in contempt of court if Guthrie proceeded with the demolition, Zarul said that was not true.

Trespassers

"The court has rejected their application and as far as we are concerned, they are trespassers on Guthrie land."

He said that the negotiation process is still on but at the same time, they still wanted to develop the land.

"There is no issue of us not offering alternative housing," he added.

Zarul explained that the ex-workers can stay in the low-cost units which were first offered at RM25,000 to the workers in 1997 and again in 2001.

The same units are now being offered for RM35,000 in line with the state's low-cost housing policy, he said.

He said the ex-workers have rejected the original offer, which included a retirement gratuity and low-cost flats.

"But now, they are asking for the low medium-cost apartments priced at RM88,000 which we will build in Bukit Jelutong."

Zarul said the people have a choice of staying in the low-cost units in Taman Bukit Subang, where units have been allocated for them, and later move to the low medium-cost units when they are completed.