VILLAGERS TOLD TO GET PROPERTIES EVALUATED

TANGKAK: Villagers in Pengerang affected by the multi-billion ringgit Petronas energy complex can engage any evaluation firm to value their houses and properties for compensation payment.

Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said the state would inform them about the compensation procedures and payment early next month.

Speaking to reporters he said some 2,000 villagers would be re-settled to another area in Pengerang when the giant petroleum and gas projects began in 2017.

We will inform the villagers about the acquisition of their plots, houses and other properties very soon.

All procedures will be according to the law and the states Land Enactment or Kanun Tanah Johor, he said at his Hari Raya Puasa open house yesterday.

Abdul Ghnai, who was accompanied by his wife Datin Paduka Prof Jamilah Ariffin, said the villagers had the rights to engage any certified evaluation firm to determine and evaluate the value of their properties.

He said they also had the rights to appeal if they thought the compensation was not proper or their houses and properties were undervalued.

He said all payments would be made after everything had been finalised and assured the villagers the state would observe the laws and the State Land Enactment.

He said all the process to acquire the land, including houses, and other properties involved in the project, were being carried out according to the law.

We are happy that almost everyone affected by the re-settlement move is happy with the project which will bring greater economic growth to Johor.

The Pengerang project is set to help Malaysia maintains it good growth towards Vision 2020, he added.

SUMBER: THE STAR, AUG 24, 2012