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GEORGE TOWN: The Railroad Assets Corporation (RAC) said today that it will overturn an “eviction order” sent to Kampung Manis villagers pending further discussions with stakeholders at the state and federal level.
A RAC spokesperson told the FMT that residents need not worry for now as the matter was discussed between Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto and RAC officials in Parliament today.
“As a government agency, we are very concerned about people’s concerns, especially after the notice was issued. At the same time, we now recognize those affected by the pandemic, ”the spokesperson said.
Kasthuri thanked the RAC for its immediate response and hoped that a win-win agreement could be reached after discussions with relevant state and federal stakeholders.
“Many of these villagers lost their jobs during the pandemic and I urged RAC to rescind the eviction order. They should be more concerned and concerned about those who live there, ”he told FMT.
Earlier today, 200 residents demonstrated in front of their village near the Perai River claiming that RAC had issued a six-month eviction notice without offering alternative housing or compensation.
Penang’s Chief Deputy Minister II P Ramasamy said the residents, who had been staying there for nearly a century, should be compensated and offered houses before being evicted.
“Although the land in Kampung Manis is owned by RAC, it does not have the right to evict residents against their will without providing them with alternative housing or sufficient compensation,” he said today.
Ramasamy vowed that as long as he remained as a Perai assemblyman, he would not let the RCA get away with “authoritarian” with its constituents.
