SHAH ALAM – The Stanco Land Meeting today also discussed the issue resettling squatters in Bukit Botak, Selayang, involving 1400 land owners and 138 acres of land. Delpuri Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (DCSB) was appointed contractor in 1999 by the previous State Government to develop and reorganise the squatters in Bukit Botak to Taman Selayang Mutiara.

DCSB, as the developer entrusted with developing and reorganising the Bukit Botak squatters to Taman Selayang Mutiara had also been instructed to build houses and infrastructures as per the plan approved by authorities. DCSB was required to build transit houses or give subsidies for house rental amounting to RM300.00 to residents who had been ordered to leave the project area until the houses were finished. In return, the residents gave power of attorney to DCSB relinquishing their rights to the land to the developer company. However, in the end DCSB was unable to go complete their end of the bargain and the project was abandoned.

Without researching the issue fully, the previous state government asked the Selangor State Developent Corporation (PKNS) to take over this abandoned project from DCSB. After some perusal, the PKNS Board of Directors meeting recently decided to stop building works on the site as well as all rental subsidies up to October 2008. This decision had to be made as PKNS is unable to bear the losses amounting to RM140 million if this project is continued.

Even though the State Government is concerned about the peoples’ hardship, it is not fair to put the entire burden on PKNS just because the previous Government was unable to monitor these projects properly. In addition, DCSB has been allowed to wash its hands clean of this issue.

The State Government hopes to assist the residents involved but is unable to do so as DCSB still holds the rights to the land. The proper help can only be given if the residents can get their rights to the land back by cancelling/nullifying the power of attorney which had been signed between them and DCSB. From a legal viewpoint, neither the State Government nor PKNS has the right to continue with the development as the residents who are also landowners are still bound by the terms in the agreement. 

Only after both agreements have been nullified can discussions with the State Government be made to decide on a more concrete solution. The State Government hopes all parties understand the real issues that are being faced by the residents of Bukit Botak so that a solution can be implemented as soon as possible.

PRESS SECRETARIAT
OFFICE OF THE DATO’ MENTERI BESAR SELANGOR