KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 13- Sime Darby Property is encouraging the remaining 24 workers at Bukit Rajah estate to accept its offer of subsidised housing as their old dwellings were no longer fit to live in.
In a statement Thursday, Sime Darby Property said the group of 24 former workers and their families chose to remain on the land, thus preventing the completion of required facilities for the new homes.
The company is in the midst of completing the terrace houses for 75 former workers, including the 24, to fulfill the terms of an agreement between Sime Darby Property and the National Union of Plantation Workers (NUPW) in 2008.
It said that on Sept 10, a group of 50 protesters had gathered at the development site in an effort to prevent the execution of the eviction order granted by the courts.
The protest was peaceful and at no time was there any violence or aggressive action taken by the protesters or representatives of the company, said the statement. It added that the company would also relocate the Hindu temple there within the housing area, as agreed with the temple committee, once the houses were completed.
In addition, they also offered to provide temporary subsidised rental for the duration of the development period.
Construction began in May 2012 and the homes are expected to be delivered in May 2014, barring any unforeseen delays.
Meanwhile, the management of Sime Darby Property is deeply saddened by the death of Madam P. Kalyani who was in the crowd of protesters at the site. She fell sick later and succumbed to her condition. Her son was a former worker at the estate.
The management and staff of Sime Darby Property extended their deepest condolences to her family.
– BERNAMA
