GEORGE TOWN: Fifteen Kampung Buah Pala families who were evicted from their homes to make way for a housing project two years ago can look forward to a new life at the site of their former homes which has been renamed Taman Buah Pala.
Its residents association chairman R. Karunakaran said the new double-storey terrace houses offered as compensation for 15 families were recently completed.

“We are now eagerly waiting to move into the new houses next month. We are happy with the design of the houses which have three rooms, a balcony and a porch big enough to accommodate a car.

“Each house with a built-up area of 1,200sqft is estimated to be worth RM500,000,” he said yesterday.

The village was a topic of controversy in 2009 when villagers tried in vain to continue living there despite a Federal Court decision ruling that they must make way for redevelopment.

Nine houses were also offered to nine families after they voluntarily moved out before the demolition.

Karunakaran said the developer had also allocated a land behind the houses to build a temple and a multi-purpose hall, which are presently under construction.

Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy said the villagers could expect to move in by August after the occupancy certificates had been issued by the Penang Municipal Council.