DAP leader Sheikh Omar Ali has slammed the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) for threatening to retract compensation to the orang asli community in Kluang whose homes are being demolished.

Jakoa on Oct 21 promised to provide compensation to residents at Kampung Abdul Rahman Yassin in Johor for agreeing to relocate to transit houses, pending the construction of new homes for them.

However, in a letter issued by Jakoa yesterday, the department set a precondition that it could withdraw its compensation if residents did not give their full cooperation.

Sheikh Omar, who is special officer to Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong, said residents had expected a letter of guarantee for compensation, but was instead given a letter with preconditions that stated they could lose their compensation.

"When the authorities conducted the demolition on Oct 21, an agreement was achieved that the few houses involved will not be demolished, as some residents refused to move to transit homes until a black and white letter has been issued guaranteeing compensation for them, as promised by Jakoa.

"This was verbally promised to the natives there during the negotiation process. Has Jakoa forgotten this?" said Sheikh Omar in a statement last night.

Sheikh Omar urged Jakoa to keep its promise and issue the letter of guarantee, after which the residents will comply and move out.