By Sharunya Raja

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21: Former Hindraf leader, K. Vasantha Kumar has submitted a memorandum to the Selangor Menteri Besar on the current plight of residents from Ladang Dusun Durian, Banting.

The memorandum was handed over on October 15.

“A visit by the Chief Minister on 21st March 2021 at the proposed site and declare that he would resolve this matter and would call for a meeting with the relevant authorities on this abandoned housing project.

“It has been six months since we have heard from him,” Vasantha said.

The memorandum reads that: “Promises after promises made since the General Elections 2008, 2013 and 2018, unfortunately, nothing was materialized.

“After four promises made by the Pakatan Harapan State Government, including the Chief Minister himself, assuring that the Selangor State Government would resolve the matter, but this project left unattended,” it added.

“We, the house buyers have on numerous attempts by negotiation with the local ADUN and former Member of Parliament from Pakatan Harapan to resolve this issue.

“We can safely conclude that we have been given misleading empty promises for 3 General Election terms now.

“Pakatan Harapan had pleaded for the support of the good estate workers, and our trust was just gone to vain. Nothing materialized on the State Government part, and we soon realized that we were just instruments for Pakatan Harapan to attain power at state and federal level.

“The electric supply to houses tenanted by the 23 families at Dusun Durian Estate terminated on 23/08/2021.

“The reason these former estate workers of Sime Darby houses terminated is due to the lapse of lease given to Sentoria Harta Sdn Bhd in May 2021. This was a shocking notice received by the 23 families living in the estate.

“We were informed by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) on 7th Mei 2021 of the termination and were told to forward new documentations and consent letter by the new landowner. Hence, we contacted Sime Darby Plantation Sdn Bhd and informed that the land was sold to Seriemas Development Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of PNB Development.

“We have contacted Seriemas Development Sdn Bhd, and we received and unfavorable reply from PNB Development dated on 30th March 2021 that Sime Darby Plantation Sdn Bhd has transferred the land through a land and purchase agreement with Seriemas Development Sdn Bhd. One of the highlighted criteria was to evacuate and transfer the said plot of land.

“Seriemas Development Sdn Bhd did not agree to the installation of electric meters to each house. We were disappointed to find out that Seriemas Development would not assist in this matter pertaining to the electric supply to 23 families. It is even more disappointing to have made known that the approval of transfer between Seriemas and Sime Darby was approved by the Plantations Councils of Selangor.

“Our purpose of visit today is to submit the memorandum as a final attempt to plead to the Selangor Pakatan Harapan Government. We are confident with this attempt; the Chief Minister will honor his words during his visit on 21st March 2021.

“The promises made elections after elections are just sweet promises made by Pakatan Harapan as an eye wash to garner votes since 2008 until October 2021.

“This was the worst 13 years of our lives, and the biggest disappointment was to trust that Pakatan Harapan and the Chief Minister would protect the interest of the people,” it added.