SHAH ALAM, Sept 30 — Twenty-six Orang Asli families from the Temuan tribe in Bukit Tampoi, Dengkil, near here whose customary land was taken to build the Nilai-Banting highway to the KL International Airport (KLIA) 15 years ago, today received compensation totalling RM6.5 million.
High Court judge Datuk Nurchaya Arshad ordered that of the amount, RM5,956,600 be deposited with Amanah Saham Nasional Bumiputera (ASNB) and distributed accordingly to the families concerned and the balance to be given to the Bukit Tampoi Temuan community to build a a community hall (RM95,200), set up a trust fund (RM307,300), down payment for housing (RM97,500) and village security and development committee fund (RM43,400).
The matter was decided after all the families concerned agreed with the advice given by Nurchaya on the best way to manage the compensation due to them.
Also present were lawyers Jerald Gomez and Valerie Chong who assisted the court in the proceedings, Pusat Keprihatinan Orang Asli (a non-governmental organisation) coordinator Dr Colin Nicholas and Shah Alam ASNB head, Razali Mohd Zain.
On May 26, after a long legal battle, the Federal Court had recorded a consent judgement whereby the Federal Government, Lembaga Lebuhraya Malaysia (LLM) and contractor, United Engineers (M) Bhd (UEM) agreed that LLM would pay the families RM6.5 million as full compensation for their land.
In April 1996, seven members of the community filed the compensation suit against the defendants after 15.2 acres of their land was taken to build the highway in 1995.
They were Sagong Tasi, Kachut Tunchit, Dabat Chabat, Kepal Kepong, Sani Saken, Ilas Senin, and Tok Batin Tukas anak Siam. However, Tunchit, Senin, Kachut and Tukas Siam have since died.
Some 50 members of the community dressed in traditional tribal gear turned up the court to witness today’s proceedings.
Sagong, 79, when met by reporters afterwards, said: “After 15 long years our ordeal is finally over. We are very thankful to our lawyers.” — Bernama
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