IPOH: The applicants for Rancangan Perumahan Tersusun (RPT) in Taman Hock Aun are unsure if they will be moving in despite receiving offer letters for land lots from the state government last month.
This is the second time the 50 families have received such letters, with the first being in February 2008, said Ipoh Barat parliamentary constituency coordinator R.K. Muthu.
"In 2008, the residents were asked to vacate their houses to make way for the land they were squatting on to be equipped with proper infrastructure and lots," he said.
"At least 70 per cent of the residents moved out and rented houses nearby while the rest stayed put as they couldn't afford to pay rental."
However, six families living in the same squatter settlement were left out on the offers, Muthu said.
Resident B. Subramaniam, who was among the six families, said he was puzzled his name was not listed for land despite a census being done on his house.
The 56--year--old, who has been living there for the last 30 years, said he had also applied for land lots just like the rest.
"There are 56 families affected by this issue, but only 50 received offer letters. We were not given any explanation by Kinta Land and District Office on why we were excluded from the list," he said.
Another resident, mother--of--six C. Maniama, 56, who was also excluded, pleaded to the authorities to reconsider her application.
"We've been living here for years and we barely make enough to survive. I cannot even afford to send my children to school. We hope the authorities will look into our plight and provide us with shelter," she said.
Meanwhile, resident Neela Devi said: "Despite being given the offer letter, we have yet to be informed on when upgrading works will start. Neither were we told how much it would cost."