THE present Sungai Kecil Estate is perhaps a small portion (six acres) of once a larger plantation in the Sebarang Perai Selatan district of mainland Penang.

I understand that in the earlier period, Indian workers from nearby state of Perak was brought in as workers.

Over the years, land fragmentation and commercialisation have resulted in the selling of lands that once were part of the present Sungai Kecil Estate.

Presently, there are 23 families in located in the estate. More than hundred workers and their families have left the estate to seek greener pastures. Many of them are still in the Sebarang Perai Selatan (SPS) area of Penang.

It was during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 that the landowner sought a court order to evict 23 families from the estate without compensation or the provision of alternative land for their housing.

It was on the day of eviction with the powerful presence of court bailiff supported by police and those who stood by to disconnect the electricity and water amenities, that the entire eviction exercise was stopped.

This happened after the landowner agreed to the price of land to be acquired by the state. However, the agreed upon price was later challenged by the owner in the court.

Nevertheless, the land was subsequently acquired by the Penang state government and only much later that an additional premium was paid to the landowner.

Promises must be fulfilled

As the land acquisition was in the process, it was agreed that the housing project for the estate workers would but placed under the state’s Chief minister Inc (CMI). Certain special housing projects in the state are not placed under the housing department but under the CMI.

A developer in Penang was engaged to come out with a housing plan for the workers. It was tentatively decided that 120 low-cost houses will be built on the land with provision for three Hindu temples. The existing temples would not be re-located under the new housing scheme.

It was agreed that the 23 families would be given free housing while those workers who were displaced from the estate would be charged a nominal sum with the remaining units to be sold to displaced Indian workers from other estates in the SPS district.

In brief, just like the new housing for Byram and California estates, Sungai Kecil Estate is envisaged to be an Indian settlement. It would be a mark of respect for Indians in the SPS who had contributed in blood and sweat for the development of the area.

Any attempt by the state or others to go back against what was agreed and what was promised to the workers would be resisted by the workers and not to mention the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai).

I understand that there are some attempts in the recent past by certain forces to give a misleading picture of the state’s earlier agreement with the workers.

There is no such thing as workers agreeing to the idea of building 250 low-cost houses. Neither did the workers agree to the idea of bringing in and settling non-estate workers.

Even the present state EXCO for housing seems rather confused about the initial settlement plan. Even selling the low-cost units above what was agreed upon will be vehemently resisted with workers reserving their right to mount a legal challenge.

Police report

Until and unless the state or any other agency agrees to abide by the earlier agreement with the workers, it would be difficult to proceed with housing for the Sungai Kecil Estate workers.

Meanwhile, some irresponsible parties have lodged nine police reports against Urimai’s deputy chairman David Marshel for touching on race and religion on the Sungai Kecil housing matter.

David in his TikTok video clip a few days ago merely wanted the authorities to comply with what was initially agreed with the workers. He did not want the Sungai Kecil Estate to be turned into high-rise apartments for the benefit of private developers.

Urimai will defend David for bravely and honestly speaking for the rights of Sungai Kecil workers and their families.

If Indian workers in Sungai Kecil are not respected and promises not kept, how can the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led coalition expect to win their support in the upcoming Sungai Bakap by-election on July 6?

I think that just in the case of the recent Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) by-election, Indians should redeem their honour by saying “NO” to the PH-led candidate from PKR.

Who knows if Sungai Kecil might be the Battle of Waterloo for the PH-led unity coalition?  What unity is there if Indians are insulted, humiliated and side-lined by the Madani government? - June 20, 2024

Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council. 

https://focusmalaysia.my/sungai-kecil-estate-battle-of-waterloo-for-ph-led-coalition-in-sg-bakap-by-election/