Stop BN to stop land grabs in Johor

By Chua Jui Meng
The only way for Pengerang villagers to prevent from being “robbed” of their land is to dump the Barisan Nasional Johor and federal governments in the coming general election.
Only a change in both governments can Johoreans put a stop to BN-Umno leaders’ misuse and abuse of the Land Acquisition Act 1960 to enrich themselves, their families and cronies.
Pakatan Rakyat’s PKR, DAP and PAS leaders were present at the Sept 30, 2012, Himpunan Hijau rally in Pengerang to protest the massive acquisition of land for the Refinery & Petrochemical Integrated Complex (Rapid).
We care for your (Pengerang folk) interest. But where were your MP (Azalina Othman) and assemblymen? Where was your Menteri Besar (Ghani Othman)?
Eviction has already started in stages but Ghani has yet to reveal the quantum of compensation for affected villagers and also alternative accommodation.
The Rapid project will wipe out 17 kampungs whose residents are mostly Malays. The 180-year-old Pekan Pengerang, a Chinese town, will suffer the same fate.
Pengerangites will lose their traditional livelihood and their environment will be highly polluted.
Not only will you lose your land, the cemeteries of your loved ones will also be exhumed.
The land grabs in Johor started in 1992 with the then Menteri Besar Muhyiddin Yassin, now deputy prime minister, acquiring a total of 32 million acres.
The BN-Umno’s simple modus operandi is to use the Act to grab land cheaply for property development.
Ultimately, the properties are sold at sky high prices, affordable only to rich Singaporeans and non-Johoreans.
In Pengerang, Rapid and the property development will not benefit Johoreans.
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