Residents glad to receive home titles after 26 years

09/05/2008 The Star By C.S. NATHAN

AFTER a long wait of 26 years, house buyers at Taman Pemarak in Tanjung Ipoh in Kuala Pilah, Negri Sembilan were elated when they finally received the ownership documents to their homes.

Forty-five residents took to the stage to collect their documents from Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan in a simple ceremony held near their homes.

Low King Chuan, 37, said he was overjoyed to finally claim ownership of his family home after waiting more than 20 years.

Waiting is over: Mohamad talking to Rajesvary, Lee Siew Hong (centre) and Low, homeowners from Taman Pemarak, Kuala Pilah who finally received the titles to their homes after 26 years.

“It's such a relief after all these years. It's a pity my late father could not witness this event,” said the IT technician who lives with his 70-year-old mother.

Fellow recipient Rajesvary Rajagopal, 57, echoed the same sentiments.

“Now, I can call it my home. My family and I have been waiting for this day since 1982,” said the mother of two.

Low and Rajesvary were residents from the 50 houses that made up Phase 2 of Taman Pemarak which was a former rubber plantation.

Mohamad also announced RM5,000 donation to the Taman Pemarak village development and security committee.

Kuala Pilah district officer Asis Ujang who was also present said that his office was in the process of ensuring residents of such housing schemes received their titles promptly.

There are 852 housing units from 16 schemes in the area. Taman Pemarak Phase 2 residents were among the first whose ownership documents have been cleared.

State tourism, unity, culture, arts, heritage and Malay customs committee chairman Mohamad Razi Kail and state human capital development and youth and sports committee chairman Abdul Samad Ibrahim were also present.