A group of former plantation workers today claimed that Putrajaya Holdings Sdn Bhd owed them low-cost units that were promised when their estates were acquired to build the new administrative capital.

Representatives of the families submitted a memorandum to Putrajaya Holdings outlining their demands and willingness to negotiate a settlement similar to that received by more than 300 ex-workers.

Community Development Centre coordinator S Paremeswari said a company official by the name of Abdul Hadi had received the memorandum.

"He assured us of an early reply. We will wait for a week before deciding on the next plan of action," she said when contacted.

In 1995, the government compulsorily acquired four estates- Prang Besar, Ladang Galloway, Ladang Sedgeley and Ladang Madingley - to contruct the multi-billion ringgit Putrajaya.

All former workers of the four estates are now living in low-cost flats in Taman Permata, Kajang, except for the 19 families from Galloway and Madingley.

"We want the low-cost units in Taman Permata at the same price that was offered to the other ex-workers," the committee of ex-Galloway and Madingley workers stated in the memorandum.

"We are also seeking a sum for rental and as compensation for the company's failure to offer us alternative housing when it was offered to the others," it added.

'Outsiders' on the list

The committee also called on Putrajaya Holdings to resolve their housing problem immediately or to stipulate a certain time-frame to do so.

"We are disappointed and regret the company's inefficiency in handling the housing issue.

"We have never been offered any housing despite being eligible, but those who have never even worked at the estate have got the units," said the committee.

The memorandum also named those who were not workers but who had been offered low-cost flats. It also listed down ex-workers who were not on the offer list.

According to the committee, the 19 families discovered they were left out of the list for alternative housing in 1998.

"We were staying outside the estates due to inadequate housing but the management paid us an allowance for housing."

Apart from approaching Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo over the application for low-cost housing, the committee has gone to several state elected representatives and the National Union of Plantation Workers.

In 1999, they met with MIC president and Works Minister S Samy Vellu. The following year, the workers lodged a police report against the state officials, followed by a complaint with the Anti-Corruption Agency last May.

Putrajaya Holdings, the menteri besar's office and the state officials were unavailable for comment.