I made my first visit to Machap – which is to have a by-election – yesterday and spoke to enthusiastic villagers at the DAP dinner-ceramah at Kampong Permai Machap Umboo New Village.
Before my trip, I had received an email from “anak permai” writing on behalf of “The Villagers of Kampung Permai Machap Umboo” asking me to raise a long-standing injustice to the people in the new village — the issue of 60-year leasehold titles when it should be for 99 years.
As I had promised to “anak permai” in my email reply, I raised the issue at my first opportunity when during my visit yesterday, calling on the Malacca Chief Minister, Datuk Mohd Ali Rustam to resolve the issue before by-election polling day on April 12. This is the email from “anak permai”:
Machap By Election A Major Issue Affecting the Voters of Kampung Permai, Machap Umboo New Village – 60 Years Leasehold Titles
Background
In 1975-76, the State Government acquired the land of “old” Machap Umboo for the purpose of building of Durian Tunggal Dam. The whole village was relocated to the present site known as Kampung Permai Machap Umboo. Almost 99% of the population of the “old” village are Malaysian Chinese.
The State Government issued leasehold titles of 60 years on the new land sold to the villagers. These titles were issued to the villagers 2-3 years after the completion of relocation exercise. The villagers protested strongly against the short tenure of the issuance of the said titles.
There is a section of Machap Umboo which is known as Kampung Melayu. The land titles issued to the residents here are for leasehold of 99 years running from the same time.
Problems faced by the 60 years leasehold title holders. The 60-year leasehold has a remaining tenure of 34 years now, many of the title holders are now faced with many problems relating to their land. Firstly, the value of their properties (most probably their one and only life-long ones) is depleting year after year. Banks and other financial institutions are reluctant to provide loans against these properties as collaterals. Many of villagers need to obtain borrowings for needful purposes like financing children’s education, building of new houses on their land or as working capitals for their business etc.
The Discontentment
The whole exercise of village relocation was by the mandatory order of the State Government for the benefit of the people of Melaka. While the State Government were kind enough to give a reasonably long leasehold of 99 years for the Kampung Melayu residents, the same treatment should be extended to the 60-year leasehold owners who are most affected by the dam project. Many of the Kampung Melayu residents are not originally from the dam project area.
The villagers of the Machap Umboo has had a hard time putting up their new houses then. Many had borrowed from the banks, some from Alongs or tontines. Sadly many ended up in financial disasters. History may repeat itself. With the weak collateral strength of their properties, some villagers may to fall victim to Alongs and other unconventional borrowings in time of financial difficulties.
Our Appeal
In view of the above facts, we hope that the Authority concerned will consider to allow the 60-year leasehold title holders to renew the lease any time from now to a 99-year lease unconditionally, par with our fellow Kampung Melayu neighbors.
We appreciate every assistance from all organizations and parties to achieve our dream so that the families and at least their next generation will have a peace of mind in years to come.
From The Villagers of Kampung Permai Machap Umboo
30th March 2007