KUALA LUMPUR – Sime Darby Property Bhd said it does not own the plot of land in Ladang Kirby, Negri Sembilan, where settlers may lose water supply after it was cut off recently.
Responding to an article by The Vibes, the company said it neither owns the land on which the alleged former plantation workers’ houses are located, nor is the company involved in any development of the land.
“Sime Darby Property has investigated and confirmed that the company did not carry out any water supply cuts to the houses of the alleged former plantation workers.”
In a statement here today, the company clarified the water pipes which supplied water to the alleged former plantation workers’ houses partially run through Sime Darby Property owned land.
It said this land was formerly known as the Kirby oil palm estate or “Ladang Kirby”.
“The water source of the water pipeline originates from a natural water reservoir adjacent to Ladang Kirby, which is located on a piece of land not owned by Sime Darby Property,” it said.
The company’s clarification comes after Negri Sembilan Parti Sosialis Malaysia chairman Vijaya Gandhi said the settlers are formerly plantation workers for Sime Darby Bhd who still live in estate quarters, while the land belongs to Sime Darby Property.
Vijaya said the pipes and water supply belonged to the company, and that the decision to cut the water supply was carried out on June 8. The water cut was said to have affected 20 families staying there,” said Vijaya.
The settlers have contacted state Human Resources, Plantations, and Non-Muslim Affairs Committee chairman Arul Kumar Jambunathan and Labu assemblyman Datuk Ismail Ahmad to reverse the decision on cutting off their water supply.
Both said the state government has no power to compel Sime Darby on the matter.
The settlers have also filed a police report over the issue.
On April 30, Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun agreed on the temporary resettlement of the settlers to an area that will be announced later.
However, Sime Darby Property said it is committed to ensuring all its stakeholders are treated “fairly” and “with respect,” including the alleged former plantation workers mentioned in the article.
“The company will continue to monitor the situation with all relevant stakeholders.” – The Vibes, June 20, 2021
