Estate workers' housing woes to be resolved next week

The housing issues faced by 245 estate families in Kuala Kubu Baharu would be resolved next week, assured housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming.

The families, from five estates in Bestari Jaya (formerly Batang Berjuntai) had been evicted from the estates, without a home to live in.

“This problem has existed since 1998, so it has been 26 years that the issue has not been resolved,” Nga said. “Next week, we will bring a piece of good news in relation to the long-standing housing problem affecting the 245 families.”

He said the five estates are the Mary, Nigel Gardner, Sungai Tinggi, Minyak and Bukit Tagar estates.

Nga had previously responded to former Klang MP Charles Santiago who raised the issue via a statement.

“People are not interested in ceramahs. They want an avenue to express their issues to the authorities, namely the state government. It’s, therefore, time to set up a complaints mechanism and work on tackling them.

“The people believe there is no political will. Solving the housing issue will go a long way to soften the anger (of the Indian community),” he said in a statement.

He also urged Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari to meet and listen to the grievances of those affected before effectively addressing the issues.