The Falling of Pepper Estate?

So a heritage estate will pave way for future development?  Will its outcome be the same as Kampung Buah Pala? It is now widely debated that this historic settlement should be preserved since its among the oldest in the state. Before is go further, below is the part of the letter to The Star by Philip A. Rozario, a former resident of the estate who is now the Assoc Prof in Adelphi University in New York :-

'As I return home to New York, I worry that the Penang of tomorrow will no longer reflect the Penang of yesterday, especially when affordable housing becomes more scarce and are replaced by exorbitantly priced condominiums. '( Letter - The Star )

The DAP led Government is known for their part played towards the demolition of Kampung Buah Pala. It was Lim Guan Eng who gave the green light in few weeks upon taking oath as the Chief Minister of Penang. So what is going to happen to Pepper Estate? The land was sold last year to Beverly Heights Properties Sdn Bhd. The project is believe to be undertaken by  Oxley Star Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore-based Oxley Holdings Limited in a joint-venture with Beverly Heights Properties Sdn Bhd.

It is understood that there are around 300 families living in the estate which comes under the freehold land of  Grant No. 62839 for Lot 3643 and Grant No. 44471 for Lot 2859 at Mukim 18 in Northeast District, Penang, Malaysia. The state Government who have been quiet on the project.  A pro-term committee has been formed and headed by Ann Rozario. It is believed that a few of the residents have been individually approached with offers of RM35000 in compensation but residents want the owner/developer to deal directly with the residents committee. The land has been sold to a developer and the company has failed to notify the community about its plans.

The CAT Government of DAP who also champions the 'Cleaner, Greener, Penang', have failed to stand with the residents. Pepper Estate which falls under the Kebun Bunga State Constituency was won by the PKR Candidate, Cheah Keah Peng with 9030 votes majority. With a higher of 5905 from the 12th General Election. A check on the Kebung Bunga Representative FB page, shows he have been interacting with the Estate residents in forming the state control PPS ( Pasukan Peronda Sukarela ). Evan in late May he had visited the estate to trim the trees. Were he not aware on the upcoming development or was it just a planned act to he had put up. The people of Kebun Bunga have voted the PKR Candidate in with higher majority. It is a shame for them to ignore the plight of the residents now. Why the Penang CM or DAP are not going all out to help the estate residents. There could be two reasons :-

1) Since it is a PKR seat, they rather let them solve by their own, by not interfering or supporting.

2) As widely known, its another Singapore Project that has got the blessing of the Penang CM.

So what is the PKR & DAP stand on this? Ain't they answerable to the people who had voted them in. This constituency which falls under the Bukit Bendera Parliament constituency which was win by the DAP Candidate, Zairil Khir Johari with a whooping 32,778 votes majority. So where is the MP? Has he come down to work closely with the PKR state rep and the Chief Minister of Penang who is also the state rep for Ayer Putih, which also comes under the same Parliament Constituency.

DAP who are championing the Penang Heritage Day and claiming that its their effort  that Penang is listed in the UNESCO, should not be a hyprocrite Government. They should take the initiative to preserve the historical Pepper Estate site. Enough of politicking with the UBAH Slogan and all kind of merchandise. It is time for the State Government, for once to stop demolishing villages and start preserving them. Enough of spinning. Stand with the people and proof to them you are 'The People's Government' just as they are claiming it!!