Petra Jaya homeowner still waiting for RM166,000 sewerage project compensation after 3 years

KUCHING (Jan 17): A Petra Jaya homeowner whose property was damaged during the Kuching Central Sewerage project is still waiting for her compensation three years later, said Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen.

The Stampin MP said the homeowner, Norasmara, 69, purchased the house in October 2022.

“The house was damaged by the Kuching Central Sewerage project and thus a compensation of RM166,000 was paid out through a government agency in March, 2023.

“Despite the fact that she has been registered as the house owner with the Land Registry Office in December, 2022, few months before the payout of the compensation, the compensation was still paid to the beneficiaries of the previous registered owner who has passed away in 2022,” he said in a statement.

Chong explained that under the circumstances, the estate’s beneficiaries should have either returned the money to the authorities or transferred it to the current owner.

“Yet, knowing that they no longer have any interest in the house and thus the compensation therefore, the beneficiaries of the estate of the previous house owner chose to keep the money. This is an act of fraud,” he pointed out.

According to Chong, Norasmara has pursued all available avenues, including lodging a police report against the beneficiaries, seeking assistance from local elected representatives, and initiating civil action in court.

After three years of running around and waiting, her effort did not come to fruition, said Chong.

“She has paid thousands of ringgit to engage lawyers to sue and finally obtained an Order against some of the beneficiaries but such Order remains a paper judgment as the beneficiaries are nowhere to be found and thus, she cannot execute the Order,” he added.

Chong noted that none of the beneficiaries had been arrested, despite a police report being filed in July 2024.

“Feeling helpless and frustrated, she came to see me today (Friday) to seek my help, hoping that the authority will take responsibility for the matter and pay her the compensation that she rightfully entitles,” he said.

Chong confirmed he had written to the relevant authorities to highlight the matter and expressed hope that Norasmara would finally receive her rightful compensation.