They are feeling optimistic of their chances after the matter was brought to the attention of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s political secretary Azman Abidin.“I understand that Kuala Lumpur City Hall has not issued a development order for the proposed project.“The best case would be if we could get free or subsidised affordable housing units for the affected residents,” he told StarMetro after a meeting with residents last Saturday.
The villagers dispute this. They claim that the land had been occupied by their ancestors since 1885 and was used for agriculture and rearing livestock. Kampung Pinang Sektor C Sungai Besi Kuala Lumpur Residents Association chairman S. Pritam Singh said he was confident that Azman’s intervention would bring a positive outcome for the villagers.“Many are army veterans and senior citizens, which should be given due consideration,” he said, hoping to find a win-win solution.