Pravinraj Chandrasekaran and his family were at risk of being homeless if their house in Kampung Tersusun Kemuning was auctioned off on April 15 after his father, Chandrasekaran Murgan Kandan, who refinanced the house from OCBC Bank Bhd, died in August 2020.
“With my father’s passing, my family appointed me as trustee of his property. We submitted an application in September 2020 to the Kuala Kangsar District and Land office but we have yet to be called for an interview.
“Unfortunately, we have not been able to have this discussion with OCBC as the letters of administration to my father’s property have not been issued,” Pravinraj told FMT.
Pravinraj’s grandmother, Kuppamah Pachiappan said she bought the house in 1983 and transferred ownership to her son, Chandrasekaran.
“I bought the house with my hard-earned money for my family and I believe I deserve the right to get my home back,” she said.
They were accompanied by Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) chairman Dr Michael Jeyakumar who is trying his best to stop the bank from auctioning the house. Jeyakumar said the family was ready to pay RM500 per month to cover the loan.
He added once the letters of administration are issued, the family will be willing to talk to OCBC officers to discuss how the loans can be restructured and settled.
“The bank should be more considerate towards the family, it’s just a small loan. Millionaires in Malaysia take big loans and the banks still give them leeway, why not the general public?” Jeyakumar questioned.
Pravinraj and his family are determined to get their house back. Today they stood in front of OCBC Bank on Jalan Tun Perak, here for an hour and demanded to speak to a head official.
After much discussion, the bank has relented and decided to stop the auction of the house.
“Thankfully they have decided to not auction the house. We were told to pay RM2,000 upfront and then a monthly payment of RM500, until the letters of administration are received, before negotiating further with the bank,” said Pravinraj, who was clearly relieved.
The family said they were overjoyed with the results and are glad that they still have a roof over their heads.