Squatter issue delays Iskandar
WHEN flats meant for squatters are not completed, the solution would be to allow the squatters to remain where they are.
But in one particular case, squatters from Skudai Kiri in Johor Baru may be delaying one of the country's major development projects by staying put.
The area is part of Iskandar Malaysia and under the project, the 688 squatter families in Skudai Kiri are supposed to be shifted to low-cost housing in Sungai Melana, Tampoi.
Unfortunately, not much has been done at the proposed relocation site as construction of the flats has yet to begin.
Member of Parliament for Pulai, Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed, said the squatters cannot be expected to move until the flats are ready.
"My condition (to the state government) is that they build the flats first and then relocate the squatters.
"The flats, however, will take about two and a half years to be completed."
The relocation of the Skudai Kiri squatters is part of the state's plans to be squatter-free by 2013.
In January, Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said the state would be spending RM583 million to relocate the estimated 8,000 squatters living within Iskandar Malaysia.
Another matter concerning Skudai Kiri is the 88 landowners in the area.
While Jazlan feels it is only a matter of time before the squatters can relocate, such is not the case with the landowners.
"The landowners still have to negotiate the terms of their compensation with the Johor Baru City Council (MBJB). A certified valuer will then value their land before compensation is paid.
"The meetings with MBJB and the valuations haven't been completed, so it's still uncertain when that process will be over," he told the New Straits Times.
A housing project in Taman Tampoi Utama, where the landowners are supposed to be relocated, is expected to be ready by year-end, he added.
Skudai Kiri residents, in the meantime, are unsure of their status.
Village head Mohamad Ibrahim said he had recently asked an MBJB officer for an update of the council's decision.
"He said he would be visiting me yesterday (July 7) with a report on their latest discussions on Skudai Kiri, but I'm still waiting."
When contacted, a senior MBJB official in the State Economic Planning Unit declined to comment.
The Iskandar Regional Development Authority was also not forthcoming on its plans for Skudai Kiri.
Its media relations department said questions regarding the residents' status should be forwarded to the MBJB.
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