Penang Islamic Council Threatens To Sue Those Spreading Lies On Eviction

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Those defaming the Penang Islamic Affairs Council (MAINPP) over matters related to Tanah Wakaf Abdul Cauder in Butterworth will face legal action, warns its president Abdul Malik Kassim
MAINPP, Malik said, has been "left with no choice" but to sue those who slander the council over the eviction of 19 families from the 0.8ha plot of endowment land
"These lies and fake news are spread via social media and in the current by-election campaign in Semenyih. "The incident is being used by the opposition to undermine Pakatan Harapan's chances of victory there," he told Malaysiakini today
"When we have the evidence (of slander), whether it is in video clips, postings or posters, we will get our lawyers to act accordingly
"We have to do it to stop the lies, because at the end of the day, the families who live there are affected, the ones who slander can just wash their hands off the problem."Malik (photo) is wary of families who have accepted MAINPP's offer for compensation changing their minds about relocation if they encounter such slander
“They spin, twist our words and slander us no matter what good we do for the villagers, no matter how many times we explain the issue
"We made attractive offers, and they still accused us of being cruel. This is not fair
Malik said that the council has repeatedly clarified that the mixed-development project on the plot of land is for income generation, and denied accusations that the land was being sold off to private developers
All in agreementAt present, all 19 families have agreed to move out and accept MAINPP's offer for compensation. The offer includes free replacement units upon completion of the planned apartment project, RM500 monthly rental fees to families to temporarily relocate, and relocation fees of RM4,000 and RM3,500 when they move into the new units
A total of 470 low- and medium-cost apartment units are to be built on the plot
Forty-six families are supposed to be relocated to the 22-storey building, while the remaining units are to be rented to low-income earners to generate revenue for the council
Last week, two activists – including Bersatu Youth exco Ashraff Mustaqim – were detained by police during the eviction exercise at the wakaf plot. Both were released later that night. - Mkini

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