Mega 9, the developer that demolished part of the traditional Kampung Hakka in Mantin, Negeri Sembilan, for a housing project, has finally agreed to meet with the settlers to discuss better compensation.

According to National Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) commissioner James Nayagam, this was agreed to by the firm's executive director Ng Chee Gong during a one-hour meeting with Suhakam yesterday.

NONENayagam (left) said Suhakam has also obtained the agreement of the state for a government officer to be part of the meeting, which wil set at a date convenient to all parties.

This followed Suhakam's almost two-hour-long meeting with deputy state secretary (development) Johani Hassan.

"The settlers came to Suhakam to send a memorandum on the matter and said the least they wanted was a meeting with the developers.

"So we have taken the first step and convinced all to meet at the discussion table. Suhakam will play mediator to resolve this issue," Nayagam told Malaysiakini.

He said the developer was reluctant to meet with settlers because, among other things, it could not provide free, low-cost terrace houses as demanded by the settlers.

The developer was also concerned that if it did meet their demands, then those who had accepted the compensation package offered earlier would feel shortchanged and demand the same.

Mega 9 also claimed that the settlers were influenced by "outsiders" and that the chairperson of the Kampung Hakka residents pro-tem committee was not residing there.

Developer to challenge demolition stay order

Also present at the event was a director of the company, Ng Cheng Fun, and company consultant Tan Kok Chai.

NONEThey said 39 houses were involved in the first phase of development, with 27 families having already received compensation ranging between RM10,000 and RM12,000, depending on the situation.

The settlers were also offered a seven percent discount for the purchase of a low-cost house costing RM40,000, with a corner lot allocated for their community hall.

However, 12 residents have filed a case in court to challenge the developer, resulting in the high drama eviction and demolition on Oct 31. resulting  in the arrest of six elected representatives.

Suhakam said the developer informed it that the demolition was completed at 2pm that day, but a stay order on the eviction notice was only received ater that day.

However, Mega 9 claims it was only informed of the stay order two weeks ago and would be filing an application to set it aside.

It added that a fence was erected on Dec 11, on grounds that the stay order was only against demolition and disconnection of the water and electricity supplies.

NONEPhase 2 of the development will affect 129 houses, of which occupants of 56 houses have received partial compensation, 50 have not received any while 23 have not agreed to any settlement.

The 56 will receive the remainder of their compensation after their houses are demolished.

In addition to the compensation offered in Phase 1 of the Kampung Hakka development, those who are unable to purchase a house for financial or age reasons will be provided free accommodation for life.

They will, however, not own the units provided as accommodation.