He said the land acquisition was in accordance with the Land Acquisition Act, and that the compensation given was fair and based on official valuations.
Last Sunday, Kwong Wah Yit Poh reported that some 20 residents from Permatang Damar Laut had claimed that their land was acquired for the Pan Island Link 2A (PIL2A) project for 30% below its market value. The PIL2A is a 5.3km highway linking the future Silicon Island to the second bridge.
In a statement, Chow said the acquisition involved 13 lots, with most landowners receiving compensation awards exceeding RM1.5 million each.
He said even those without land titles were given ex-gratia payments.
“The award of compensation was based on valuations by the valuation and property services department. Ex-gratia payments of RM43,500 each were also given to three individuals who do not have land titles, even though their buildings were on government land,” he said.
Chow said the total compensation and ex-gratia payouts amounted to RM24.27 million and were disbursed by the district land administrator from last December.
He also said that he met those affected by the acquisition on Jan 14 and allowed them to remain on the site until Feb 28.
He said the state later extended the deadline a second time, setting April 15 as the final date.
“We call on all stakeholders to comply with the legal process under Section 3(1)(a) of the Land Acquisition Act 1960 and to vacate their premises or land by April 15,” he said.
Chow also said that 30 stakeholders had filed formal objections via Form N, challenging the compensation in court. He said the land office was preparing Form O for the next step in the legal proceedings, which must take place within six months.
Form N is a formal objection submitted by affected parties who disagree with the amount of compensation for land acquisitions, requesting that the matter be referred to court.
Form O is a document prepared by the land administrator to initiate court proceedings after receipt of a Form N objection.
Chow said that any appeal must follow the procedures set out in the law, and that the court’s decision would be final.
According to Kwong Wah Yit Poh, some residents claimed they were offered as little as RM43,000 and that they were forced to trade in their bungalows for low-cost flats.
They also alleged that their attempts to meet with local elected representatives were ignored.