By AKMAR ANNUAR
THE government has moved to resolve the 44-year Bukit Kiara longhouse dispute, with 98 B40 families set to receive replacement homes and a RM1 million maintenance subsidy.
The new homes will be built and completed first before the existing longhouse units are demolished, allowing residents to move directly into their new units without temporary relocation.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the RM1 million grant would be channelled through the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to subsidise service and maintenance charges for the residents for three years after they move into the new homes.
He said the subsidy was aimed at easing the residents’ transition from longhouse living to apartment units.
“When they move into the new homes, there will be other needs. We have to help the residents here and provide a subsidy so that the maintenance cost can be covered for at least three years,” he said at the launch on June 15.
Anwar said the settlement was reached after the government respected the legal process and moved to find a fair solution once the matter had been decided.
“Imagine living in a longhouse for 44 years. Today, what we can promise is the rule of law, protecting the people, ensuring the poor are not left behind and providing a fair solution,” he said.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh said the project marked the start of a long-awaited resolution for residents who had been promised permanent housing for decades.
She said the matter had gone through several administrations before the present government decided to proceed with a settlement that would address the residents’ housing needs.
“Many children grew up here, many became grandparents here, and many wondered whether the promise made to them would ever be fulfilled.
“Some residents have also passed away without seeing the solution that had been promised,” she said.
Yeoh said the first replacement unit would be given free to the affected families, in line with the earlier agreement.
She said the second unit, which was previously offered to the residents at RM175,000 each under the original arrangement with the developer, would also now be given free.
“This is because they have waited for so long, and the court case has dragged on for years.
“Considering that they are also from the B40 group, we called all parties to discuss the matter, and this second unit will also be given to them for free,” she told reporters after the launch.
Yeoh said the replacement homes are expected to be completed within three years.
Anwar stressed that the settlement should serve as a reminder that development decisions must also protect vulnerable communities.
“In such struggles, the poor usually lose. Justice is not for one group only. Justice is for all,” he said.
Source: The Malaysia Reserve
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