Families of former workers at Ladang Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur parked themselves outside the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in Putrajaya today, hoping to meet Najib Abdul Razak to pursue their demand for four acres of land for alternative housing.

NONE The 50-strong group, which included supporters of the families, gathered outside the PMO at 11am but moved to a sheltered area about 50 metres when it began to rain.

Police personnel present did not impede the group, who plan to remain there until they meet Najib and their housing woes are resolved.

At 1pm, they sent five representatives, led by PSM secretary-general S Arutchelvan and ex-estate workers representative K Balakrishnan, to meet with representatives from the Federal Territories and Urban Well-being Ministry and the PMO.

Speaking to reporters later, Arutchelvan said their request for land was rejected.

He said they felt cheated as they were there to meet Najib, and were under the impression that officers from the PMO would be at the meeting.

However, only two ministry representatives, Kasim Hamzah and Adi Roslan, were present and they promised to pass on notes from the discussion to the PMO.

NONE "We expected the highest level of professionalism," said Arutchelvan (left) , expressing disappointment with the decision and lack of PMO representation at the meeting.

The denial of the request should have been given writing, he said, adding that the workers and their families would continue to work to resolve the problem on their own.

As at 4pm, the group remained by the side of the road outside the PMO, holding up placards for drivers of passing vehicles to see.

They appeared to have decided against setting up tents outside the office, given the police presence and a notice put up at the grass verge that erecting any form of structure would be an offence.

Candlelight vigil planned

The group came prepared with food and drinks, even planning for talks and a candlelight vigil tonight, action committee treasurer K Gobalakrishnan ( right in picture below, in orange T-shirt ) said.

NONE The families had last Wednesday indicated that they would camp outside the PMO today to seek a meeting with Najib, having previously sent numerous letters and memoranda to him throughout 2011 without receiving a word in response.

They have been fighting off eviction notices from Kuala Lumpur City Hall since 2007, with most families refusing the government's offer of low-cost flats as compensation.

The families had continued working as rubber tappers on the estate after the land was acquired by the government in 1980.

The government has since then sold the land, portion by portion, to private developers. Today, only about 10 hectares of the original 720 hectares remain .