Grim future for farmers facing eviction

IPOH: Expecting a stand off, several farmers and livestock breeders waited from 8am to noon at their farms in Siputeh near here, but the enforcement authorities or the owners of the land failed to turn up.
They came to support their colleague, Hor Kam Seong, 52, who is facing eviction after he received a notice from the High Court stating a repossession of the vacant land, which was to take effect from today.
He had filed a stay of execution on April 8, 2015. Hor also lodged a police report on April 10 to stop eviction pending the court case.
The father of four children has toiled on the 3.2-hectare land and has been planting papaya trees for the past 20 years. His future now looks bleak.
Four others who are occupying plots of land in the same area, are facing the same predicament, but have yet to receive any summons from the court.
They have written to the land owner's lawyer on the matter.
Fifteen other farmers are facing the same predicament, however, their cases are pending in court.
The status of another 20 farmers in the same area is unknown.
Hor said: "This is my only means of earning a living and I hope the state government allocates a plot of land for me to continue with my life.
"I have four children going to universities and school, and my monthly expenses are increasing."
M. Ramasamy, 59, who has 40 cows, said: "Even government agencies have recognised our activity...I even attended courses on breeding of cows by the Veterinary Department.
"I have been rearing cows for their meat for the past 40 years and hope the authorities will seriously look into our problem.'
Gabungan Selamatkan Petani dan Penternak Perak coordinator, K. Kunasekaran said the area encompasses 600 hectares allocated to the state government agency, Menteri Besar Incorporated, for development.
The land is earmarked for a Kinta Lake District project.
Forty farmers have tended the land and grown vegetables and fruits. They have also been breeding cows and rearing fish.
"The farmers have submitted six memoranda to the Mentri Besar and one to the state secretary, but have not received any reply," said Kunasekaran.