Settlers of a Felda scheme in Negri Sembilan - where some had became instant millionaires after selling their land to the government - are complaining that instead of bags of money falling from the sky, they are getting 'yellow rain' allegedly caused by a toxic waste incinerator nearby.

"Just a few kilometres from our village is a toxic waste processing plant. Even at the early stages of its existence, many quarters have protested against it being located there," said a memorandum signed by 185 settlers.

The settlers are from Sendayan - located 20km west of the state capital Seremban - which has a population of 5,000 out of 513 families.

According to the settlers, they had thought that the government would not build a factory - the Bukit Nanas toxic waste incinerator - that could bring harm them.

However, fumes coming out of the plant - build in 1998 - has recently troubled them.

"The factory is spewing out excessive smoke every night... The next day, there are yellow spots on tree leaves, cars and clothes which are left out to dry. Sometimes, we would even see yellow-coloured rain," they said.

The residents also expressed concerned that a three-year-old child has been diagnosed with nerve cancer.

"Doctors do not dismiss the possibility of toxic pollution having an effect on the baby." it added.

Sand mines

Yesterday, a seven-member delegation from the Sendayan Residents Action Committee (SRAC) submitted the memorandum to opposition leader Lim Kit Siang in the Parliament lobby.

However, only two of them were allowed to enter the premises of the Parliament.

The delegation - comprising spokesperson Badrul Hisham Sharin, and residents Dollah Hussein, Jamlus Said, Abdul Wahab Mohd Soal, Mohd Noh Ishak, Sharil Abdullah and Mustafa Abdul Latif - later visited malaysiakini .

The residents also complained of several sand mines which are operating in Sendayan.

"The residents of Sendayan have objected to the opening of the mines for two main reasons - they are too close to our homes - only 200m away. They pose a great danger. Who can monitor our children 24 hours a day to make sure they don't play in the mines?

"The owners of the mines has also redirected the flow of the river nearby. This will cause a major ecological disaster and cause pollution," the memorandum stated.

The government has issued two sand mining licences to Permatang Intan, a company believed to be linked to a local Umno leader.

Dollah Hussein, a member of the delegation, said that the Felda settlers' problems have been going on for six or seven years and yet no one was willing to listen to their plight.

"We have seen the then prime minister (Dr Mahathir Mohamad) in 1998, and the deputy prime minister as well, but to no avail," Dollah said.

Dollah also gave an account of how they attempted to meet Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Mohamad Hasan on Wednesday but could only succeed in handing the memorandum to an office helper.

Promised RM1.1 mil

The group is also not happy with their nine-year land tussle they had with the state government.

The Negri Sembilan government and Tabung Haji had sought the land for a massive development and offered the settlers huge compensation.

"Of 513 families, 460 of us decided to take up the offer where we would be paid RM1.1 million per lot. Some of us have been paid 10 percent of that amount, but we still have not received the full amount.

"We have been to the Land Office 27 times and have sent many memorandums. We want the prime minister to intervene in this matter," Dollah added.

The matter has since been brought to the Seremban High Court.

In March this year, the court ruled that Dollah and his fellow residents were eligible to receive the multi-million ringgit compensation.

But the residents have yet to hear from the state government.