PARTI Sosialis Malaysia says that settling the Taman Permata housing issue is a major win in the party’s fight for proper housing for former estate workers.
PSM deputy chairman S. Arutchelvan said credit should be given where it was due and advised political party members to get their facts right.
“A total of 393 families from four estates (in Dengkil), namely Prang Besar, Sedgeley, Galloway and Madingley were offered to purchase and relocate to a unit in Taman Permata flats for RM20,000 in 1999, to give way to the development of Putrajaya, although they were initially promised to be compensated with low-cost terrace houses.
“The building was found to have many defects. It was PSM who helped the residents to demand for the terrace houses promised.
“In 2013, a big crack appeared on one of the blocks and the building was deemed unsafe for dwelling.
“We drafted many letters to the state and Federal governments, as well as took part in many protests that garnered much attention,” he said at a press conference in Taman Permata on Friday (Aug 4).
He said the Federal Government that was under Barisan Nasional then had offered to build houses and the state government under Pakatan Harapan offered to provide the land for the project.
He said the project, called Ampar Tenang People’s Housing Project, was launched in 2017 and was now nearing completion.
“The houses are expected to be completed in October. Barisan and Pakatan had a hand in the project, but it was PSM and its movement that helped bring the matter to their attention and demand action,” he said.
Arutchelvan said many have the misconception that PSM is a non-governmental organisation that helps to fight for people’s rights.
“We nominated a candidate in Dengkil and they are surprised to know that we are a political party.
“PSM members do a lot of groundwork but are very bad at marketing ourselves,” he said.
PARTI Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) has declared the resolution of the Taman Permata housing issue as a significant triumph in the party’s battle for proper housing for former estate workers. S. Arutchelvan, the deputy chairman of PSM, emphasized the importance of acknowledging credit where it is due and cautioned members of political parties to ensure they have accurate information.
Arutchelvan outlined the background of the issue, stating that a total of 393 families from four estates in Dengkil (Prang Besar, Sedgeley, Galloway, and Madingley) were offered the opportunity to purchase and relocate to a unit in Taman Permata flats for RM20,000 in 1999, in order to accommodate the development of Putrajaya. However, the families were originally promised low-cost terrace houses as compensation.
He further explained that the Taman Permata flats were discovered to have numerous defects, and it was PSM that assisted the residents in demanding the initially promised terrace houses. In 2013, a significant crack appeared in one of the blocks, rendering the building unsafe for habitation.
Arutchelvan highlighted the efforts made by PSM to bring attention to the matter, including drafting letters to both the state and federal governments and participating in protests that garnered significant attention. He acknowledged that the project, known as the Ampar Tenang People’s Housing Project, was initiated in 2017 with contributions from both the Barisan Nasional government at the federal level and the Pakatan Harapan government at the state level.
Anticipating completion in October, Arutchelvan emphasized that while both Barisan and Pakatan played a role in the project, it was PSM and its movement that played a crucial role in raising awareness and demanding action.
Furthermore, Arutchelvan addressed the misconception that PSM is a non-governmental organization, asserting that it is, in fact, a political party. He mentioned that the party recently nominated a candidate in Dengkil, surprising some people who were unaware of its political nature. Arutchelvan acknowledged that PSM members are dedicated to grassroots work but acknowledged their shortcomings in marketing themselves effectively.
Overall, the resolution of the Taman Permata housing issue represents a significant victory for PSM’s advocacy for proper housing for former estate workers, and Arutchelvan emphasized the need for accurate information and recognition of the party’s contributions.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
