Thirty offer letters for low-cost housing have been sent to victims of the Petaling Jaya clashes, as promised by the government, said Yayasan Strategik Sosial, a non-governmental organisation closely linked to MIC, the third largest component in the ruling front Barisan Nasional.

YSS assistant director Victor Joseph told malaysiakini that the low-cost houses costing RM35,000 each have been allocated to 30 families hit by the tragedy.

He added that 87 victims will also be given financial assistance. He could not disclose the amount, but said the money will be handed out soon.

"We are arranging a meeting with the victims. We have allocated 10 houses in Puchong and the rest in Bukit Hitam," said Joseph.

Last Saturday, victims of the racial clashes held a press conference in Kuala Lumpur to mark the 100th day of the clashes. The event, called '100-day Report Card on Kampung Medan', was organised by the Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC).

The victims criticised the government, especially the Indian-based MIC, for not making good their promise to provide housing facilities and financial aid.

Seven of them spoke on how they had "lost hope" in MIC, and maintained that the government has a moral obligation to help them.

YSS service director Jasmine Adaickalam today told malaysiakini she was upset that the victims had raised the issue when her organisation had been carrying out community services in the area.

"I know the victims and there are many irregularities in newspaper reports," she said, when contacted.

"The situation has been manipulated. We will probably hold a press conference to set things right," she added.

Assistance offered

The Petaling Jaya Selatan clashes, which began on March 9 and lasted for a week, claimed the lives of six people and left scores more injured. About 300 people, mostly youths, were arrested by the police.

Since then, many government bodies and political parties, including the opposition, have visited the area to offer assistance to the victims.

DAP handed over about RM15,000. The Damansara Rotary Club last week gave RM3,000, the GCC on Saturday donated RM500 to each 20 families and the Welfare Department last month provided each victim with RM200.

The government has said more low-cost houses would be built in the area of the clashes which currently comprises longhouses, low-cost flats and wooden squatter houses occupied by Malays and Indians, as well as Indonesian and Bangladeshi migrants.

The majority of the residents are from the lower income group, mostly factory workers, mechanics and small-time businessmen.

MIC vice-president S Veerasingam, who is parliamentary secretary of the National Unity and Social Development Ministry, told malaysiakini that he will be visiting the victims today.

He said MIC is making arrangements to provide housing to those who were seriously injured.

Asked to comment on the victims' complaints, Veerasingam said, "We are not going to comment through the media. We will see the victims first and see what we can do."