Earn Residents Trust First Johari Ghani Tells Kg Sungai Baru Developer

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Titiwangsa member of Parliament Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani (right) speaks during the 'Podcast Utama' programme, aired on TV3 tonight.KUALA LUMPUR: Titiwangsa member of Parliament Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani has urged the company behind the redevelopment of Kampung Sungai Baru to earn the residents' trust by delivering obtainable results.
He said the developer - in order to resolve the impasse involving residents who had waited years for their new homes - should build two blocks of housing first in the enclave.
"I don't think it is difficult (to regain trust.) That's why I said build two blocks first. Once completed, bring back those who had been relocated temporarily.
"After years of waiting, at least that part would be solved. Empty land can be discussed later," he said
 Johari, who is also the plantation and commodities minister, was speaking on the 'Podcast Utama' programme, aired on TV3 tonight.
Kampung Sungai Baru, located in the heart of the city, recently came under the spotlight after a court-ordered operation on Sept 11 to clear the houses for redevelopment turned ugly.
Dang Wangi police chief Assistant Commissioner Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman was left injured following a standoff with locals.
The government had gazetted the land acquisition of Kampung Sungai Baru for redevelopment on June 21, 2021, involving 420 residential units.
This followed negotiations with residents from 2016 to 2020.
However, problems began when a minority group expressed dissatisfaction with the developer's joint venture agreement and compensation.
Some residents have since refused to vacate the area, affecting the redevelopment work.
On compensation, Johari said the developer must be fair to the residents.
"You must look at the value of the 7.8 acres, say RM200 million or RM250 million. Then deduct relocation, rental, and purchase costs. What remains must be shared with the landowners. They should at least get one unit back.
"If developers earn RM400 million while residents suffer for seven to eight years, that's not right. The government must regulate this. Developers must not profit excessively while leaving people behind," he said.
Johari said he was not there on Sept 11 as he was attending an event at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM). He said that upon learning of the incident, he wanted to go but was advised against it by the police.
"Later, I was told that outsiders had joined in. I feel there were political elements involved. With politics, it becomes problematic," he said.
He highlighted his longstanding opposition to the developer and expressed regret over the violence that took place during the stand-off.
"I still blame the developer. They took advantage of the B40 families living in PKNS houses. That is why I regret that even the district police chief was pelted with stones. Such things should not have happened," he said.
Johari said when he was the Titiwangsa MP after the 13th General Election, he had advised the residents not to sign any agreements on the area's development.
He said that less than five per cent did, when he was the MP then.
"But after I lost in GE14, everything changed," he said.
Johari also criticised political leaders at the time for allowing the redevelopment to proceed.
"I was saddened that political leaders, including three Federal Territories Ministers, Khalid Samad, Tan Sri Annuar Musa, and Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, plus the MP Datuk Seri Rina Harun, allowed this to happen," he said.
Johari also criticised the use of the Land Acquisition Act in the move to redevelop the land, as consent was obtained from only 67 per cent of residents and used to override the objections of the rest.
"How can you enter people's land and use the Land Acquisition Act based only on 67 per cent consent, while 33 per cent objected? That is wrong and oppressive," he said.
He reminded that Kampung Sungai Baru forms part of the Malay Agricultural Settlement gazetted in 1932 and was a historical grant from the Sultan of Selangor.
Johari also warned developers against repeating the same mistakes elsewhere.
He said he was approached by developers who had proposed redeveloping the Tun Razak flats near Kampung Baru.
"I said, 'Go home, there's no need to build yet.' If you want to make a mess, go ahead, but in the end you won't get 90 per cent agreement, and I won't allow it," he added. - NST

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