THE long wait for land titles for 220 villagers and their family members living on state land in Kg Bendahara, Batu Caves is finally over — after almost 20 years.
Last week, the Selangor executive council approved all their applications for land titles.
Village action committee acting chairman Abdul Rahman Kamis said it was the best news in decades.
"We waited anxiously for the land title knowing that many who were in similar situation were given to low- cost houses.
"So we are happy our applications are approved," he said.
He said the villagers were also given some leeway in settling the total RM12,000 in premium and other fees.
"But the authorities have promised that by paying an initial premium sum of RM1,000, the grants will be given to us with the outstanding amount to be settled in installments," he said.
He said the RM12,000 was not only for the land grants but for infrastructure like drainage system and other utilities to be provided by the local authorities.
The good news was announced by State housing, building development and squatters committee chairman Iskandar Abdul Samad at a thanksgiving feast in Kg Bendajara recently.
"Initially there were 265 application but after scrutinising we found there were only 220 lots occupied. The rest made the application but went off to live somewhere else," he said.
The forfeited lots, he said would be turned into playground and other common property for the villagers," Iskandar told StarMetro after making the announcement.
He said the Kg Bendahara folk were initially moved to Bukit Botak, Batu Caves, which was a huge temporary resettlement site for villagers living on government land and squatters.
"Some were moved to other areas for resettlement and the present inhabitants of Kg Bendahara were moved here and given temporary occupation licences."
In 2001 there was an exercise by the state exco to given them land titles.
"But of the 108 applications approved only about 40 were given land titles as the majority could not come up with the RM12,000 in full settlement before the land titles could be given in their names," he said.
According to MPS council member in charge of Zone 3, which covers Kg Bendahara, Zaidi Abdul Talib, the council would start making arrangement to provide the basic infrastructure and common utilities for Kg Bendahara - Star Metro Online.