2011/05/24
by Ahmad Fairuz Othman
LIKE many metropolitan cities, Johor Baru is not spared of issues pertaining to squatter s e t t l e m e n t s.
There are scores of squatter settlement areas in the state capital that have been earmarked for development to make way for new housing, commercial or road projects.
These areas are now being redeveloped in stages and this has resulted in ongoing construction and re-alignment of traffic.
At least five squatter villages in eastern Johor Baru — Kampung Desa Melayu, Kampung Desa Jaya, Kampung Desa Makmur, Kampung Tengah and Kampung Belantik — are earmarked for relocation purposes to make way for the RM1 billion Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL).
On the western edge of Johor Baru, the situation is slightly different as squatters of Kampung Skudai Kiri and Kampung Usaha Jaya will be relocated for massive commercial projects under Iskandar Malaysia.
The 8.1km EDL, to be completed in 2012, will connect the North-South Expressway interchange at Pandan to the new Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine building at the Causeway.
EDL project owner, MRCB Lingkaran Selatan Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd, said last year a quarter of the 424 squatter families from the five villages have agreed to move.
Those who have agreed to move would be compensated with low-cost flats at subsidised rates and relocation allowances.
Hundreds of squatter families have gone through the relocation exercise.
Johor Baru member of parliament Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad, whose constituency covers the five affected villages, said that the government has a comprehensive plan to relocate the squatters.
The important thing was to identify long-time residents of these squatter villages, as they are given top priority when it comes to compensation.
Shahrir added that any squatters who were left out in the relocation exercise should approach his service centre.
As it is, there are some squatter dwellers who have claimed to be in the dark over any relocation plans.
But those in the know would be fully aware of the compensation scheme.
Shahrir said there are various categories of squatters who are entitled to the new housing scheme.
The first category is for original owners who still live in the affected area. The second category is for second-generation owners who are children of original dwellers, while the third category is for tenants.
An original dweller of a squatter unit is entitled to a flat measuring 79sq m costing RM35,000, while the two remaining categories will be offered a 70sq-metre unit which costs RM50,000.
Shahrir said that priority is given to those who are involved in the community.
This means they have to be living in the area for many years, and making a living.
Housewife, Suriana Saaban, 28, of the Kampung Skudai Kiri squatter settlement said the authorities should brief residents on their development plans.
"We are all for development but the authorities need to seek our opinions when it comes to developing this area. We have rights too," she said. Suriana has been living in the village all her life as her father, Saaban Abu Bakar, is an original dweller.
Saaban, who works as a fisherman, said he hoped to live in the village for the rest of his life but can't do so because of the upcoming proj e c t s.
"As a fisherman, I worry that I wo n 't be able to go to sea once I relocate inland. I hope the government would consider this at least," said Saaban.
It is learned that squatters in Kampung Skudai Kiri are to be resettled at public housing flats located about 15km to 20km from their present area. The resettlement programme will be undertaken by UDA Holdings Bhd and the Johor government, and both parties have engaged the affected residents from time to time to explain about the development p l a n s.
Sur iana's and Saaban's worries are issues that need to be noted, despite the authorities' push for deve l o p m e n t .
It may seem trivial when compared to the mammoth benefits that come with all the development projects, but physical development at the end of the day needs to go hand-in-hand with development of the people.
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