Perak’s Kampung Baru Menglembu, located near the Sri Raaja Rajeswari temple, has become a focal point of concern as Indian families face significant challenges due to the absence of fundamental infrastructure such as roads and drainage systems. Despite being granted permanent land by the government six years ago, the community finds itself mired in difficulties, unable to construct proper homes.
The settlement’s history is steeped in the relentless struggle of the Indian working class, who fought tirelessly for their right to this land through years of organised protests. However, their victory has been marred by the persistent lack of essential amenities necessary for decent living conditions.
Residents brought light to the issue during the annual MIC meeting, which was attended by Batu Gajah Congress Chairman S. Mogan and Menglembu’s MIC Chairman M. Vivekanandan. They expressed to the two political members that urgent action is needed from the government to address the plight of their housing conditions.
Many residents, who have spent over five decades in the area, are elderly people who simply wish to peacefully live out their remaining years on the land rightfully granted to them. Their appeals for assistance underscore the pressing need for intervention to alleviate their suffering. Despite the supposed advancement of the Indian community, many of those who were former plantation workers as well as other forms of manual labourers are still exploited and ignored by the state and larger Malaysian society.
