I read a piece of news about Penang which got me thinking. Should illegal squatters be compensated because they have been squatting for more than 50 years when the landowner decides to do something with the land? If yes, what would be a proper or adequate compensation? Is giving them a token sum, enough for them to buy a low-cost home be considered adequate? Or must the landowner provide them a place to stay instead of money? I think it is in every party’s benefit to have some of these put in place. Why do I say so?
Well, Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari and Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu said that villagers in Kampung Mutiara Batu Ferringhi deserves proper compensation since these villagers have been staying in the village for 50 years. They said this because these residents, numbering 1,000 have been served an eviction notice by the landowner. They hoped the landowner would do this based on humanitarian grounds. The only thing both of them did not mention was what would be considered an adequate compensation. Both of them also urged the state government not to approve any development on the two plots of lands until these villagers are properly compensated. Well, a proper intervention aiming at a win-win situation is on the way. Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Rashid Hasnon had sent a letter requesting the landowner for a discussion.
Personally, I sympathise with these villagers because they have not many avenues to fight against this eviction. In fact, they would lose and even the two assemblymen said the same thing which was why they were appealing based on humanitarian grounds. However, I also feel that because nothing is a certainty here, everyone may also be asking for things which are way too much from the landowners. This is nothing more than a commercial business transaction where the new landowner needs the land. Perhaps this is time that the assemblymen concerned can bring this up in Parliament and get it properly legislated? If they are able to, Penang state can lead the way for all the rest to follow. This is possible because the power to approve projects actually rests with the state government. Let’s read on and see what happens.
written on 14 Aug 2015
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Staying for 50 years, landowners should pay ‘adequate compensation’
Comments
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Hai Charles,
When you brought this issue, I also had think of it a long time ago when I saw the KL squatters issue and Kg Baru issue. Actually I think if everyone is working which ways to satisfy each others, this cannot come into an issue.
In my opinion, if the landowner wants to make a condominium or landed terrace houses, they should give a priority to the squatters to buy them first. I don’t really think the squatters cannot afford to buy these properties. I had once my relatives who lives at Kg Pandan, KL squatters, but they can buy a medium type car and go for holidays sometimes. I don’t think he didn’t has approximately RM15,000 if he really wants to pay for house down-payment including his children’s and wife savings, and maybe some help from his parents. He just don’t want to leave his squat house because it is near to his work office and his children can walk or cycle to school. Furthermore his wife don’t has to go to the market because there are traders selling fish and groceries coming in front of their doorsteps. The neighborhood are good, that’s why he don’t want to leave the place. Some of his friend also have 2-3 squatter house more for rent! It is like a lucky valley to them, eventhough they know they are living on somebody/government land. They also don’t have to pay the quit rent or land tax like we do!
I think it’s not fair to the landowner to give them the privileges to live for so long.They are just waiting for a generous compensation by using their 2 MPs and they want the land to be theirs if possible. I think they should buy whatever developments that are planned to be. The developer should also build an affordable house for the really poor ones. Make a house that the monthly payment can be afforded by them. The rest of the development can be sold to other buyers or make a luxury semi-D house.
Thanks-
Im, I sincerely hope majority can think and understand the issue like you. Most of the time though both sides are trying to gain attention and the one more successful tend to be able to force the other side to give more.
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Charles, this issue is actually a political one. There is no logic in it. Imagine staying for free on somebody’s land and some even making a profit from it for 50 years and want ‘adequate compensation? I would say crap! It is a political one because these squatters together can be a big bloc of voters that politicians must countenance.
Isn’t it a big boys( landlord)bullying small boys(squatters) stuff? Put yourself when you become a Landlord with a few units for investments and some squatters( or illegal tenants ) occupying your units and when you send eviction notices, your illegal tenants ask for compensation?-
Frederick, I think most of the time there would be a story behind why these squatters stay there for so long. Thus, it’s not always easy to just say follow court order. As you know, assuming there are 1,000 of them, it would be a big thing. Perhaps moving forward, the landowners should just ensure no one squats there. Alternatively, the society must just accept that everyone should just follow the court order. The politicians should just stay out and not politicise it? Hmmm….
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