A MIC Selangor state executive councillor today refuted claims that he had given a 'false' account on the number of houses needed by estate workers in Kajang at a recent meeting with a housing developer.

K Sivalingam told malaysiakini the number of families who needed low cost houses were 38 and not 14, as claimed by the Breamer estate committee, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) which claims to represent the displaced estate workers.

"This list comprise those who are former estate workers and they are entitled to the houses as well," said Sivalingam who is the Selangor state Estate and Mining Workers Housing Committee chairperson.

"Why is the committee making noise about those who are getting houses? They should be asking 'why am I not getting a house' not 'why are they getting houses'?" he added.

Since 1993, Breamer estate workers have been tussling with their employers over housing rights. They were promised housing as compensation when they had to be evicted as the estate was to be developed into a golf course. The case is still pending in court.

Higher figure

Yesterday, about 30 former workers of Breamer Estate Kajang lodged a police report against Sivalingam at the Dang Wangi police station in Kuala Lumpur.

Breamer estate committee chairperson Ganeson Danapal told malaysiakini that a written report by Sivalingam at a meeting with the Sungai Gantang housing developer on May 23 stated that 38 families from the estate needed low-cost houses.

However, according to Ganeson, only 14 families are seeking to obtain the houses.

The committee urged the police to investigate why Sivalingam gave a much higher figure than the actual number of houses demanded by the displaced estate workers.

Sivalingam said he had had three meetings with the Sungai Gantang developer and estate workers were represented at the meetings.

"Actually, the Breamer estate committee has no authority to speak on behalf of the estate workers," he said, adding that he had invited the committee representatives but no one turned up for the meetings.

"We only wish to speak to estate workers, estate owners and developers, not others who have no say in these matter," he added.

New conditions

Sivalingam said there were no provisions by the state government to compel developers to compensate estate workers with houses when they take over the estate for development.

In the past, he added, negotiations would only be between estate workers and owners with no interference from the state government.

"However, last week Selangor Menteri Besar Mohd Khir Toyo told us in a meeting that developers must provide housing when workers are displaced," he said.

"Therefore I have been working and meeting the developers to work things out. Give them some time. The new conditions have only just been set," he added.

Sivalingam said the Breamer estate committee members have not met with him to discuss the problem. "They can meet me anytime," he said.