Houses of ethnic Indian village to be bulldozed in Malaysia

A 60-year-old ethnic Indian allegedly tried to immolate herself today as the community's high-profile struggle to prevent their homes from being bulldozed ended after a Malaysian court ordered demolition of their houses.
  
Indrani, mother of the village Residents Association assistant secretary, caused a stir when she poured a bottle of kerosene over herself and attempted to set herself on fire in a bid to stop workers from tearing down her house. She was restrained by her son.

"I've lived here all my life," she said. Bulldozers moved into the tiny piece of land as a bailiff of north Penang court, escorted by light strike force personnel and officers from the criminal investigation department begun serving eviction notices to the residents.

There will be no further discussion to delay the demolition. The fate of the village, also known as Kuah Buah Pala, has been a focal point for minority ethnic Indians here. Many felt the state government should have consulted the 300 odd families living in the village before selling land in 2005.
   
The current owner, a Malaysian developer, wants to build condominiums at the site. He had offered to give each family a double storey house if they vacate. Though some accepted the offer, many rejected it and later some demanded Rs 40 lakh each as compensation.