Residents of Kampung Peel seek replacement home

KUALA LUMPUR,  April 11  -- "Replace us with another house, and we will move out” - this is the request by 126 families of Kampung Peel, here, who are forced to evict their homes to make way for development in the more than the 60-year-old village.

The village head, A. Deva, 46, said the residents, mostly in the B40 group, want the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to consider allocating them houses under the People’s Housing Project (PPR).

"We appeal to DBKL to help us. We don't mind being placed in any PPR, either in Bukit Jalil, Jalan Peel or Pudu Ulu," he told reporters when met after a peaceful protest staged by the Kampung Peel residents in the village.

He said the developer had offered the residents RM15,000 for them to move out, but the amount was not enough for them to get a new home.

“Most of us are senior citizens. We have been living here for decades, where can we go if no house is provided for us,” he added.

One of the residents,  Lau Wan Ngoh, 88, said she never imagined having to leave the village, especially at this late age.

"The house I’m staying is the only house I have. I have been staying here since small, all my children grew up in this house, I just don’t know where to go if there is no house provided.

“All my children have their own life to live. I don’t want to trouble them,” she added.

Meanwhile, Federal Territory Keadilan Youth chief P. Prabakaran said the residents need to be given justice as they are the original inhabitants in the area.

He said he would hold further discussions with DBKL and the developer to find a way of helping the residents.

 -- BERNAMA