Let Glcs Take Over Kg Sungai Baru Development Says Mp

---

 


The Titiwangsa MP Johari Abdul Ghani has proposed that another developer should take over the redevelopment project for Kampung Sungai Baru, Kuala Lumpur.
He suggested a government-linked company such as the Urban Development Authority (UDA), TH Properties Sdn Bhd, or Sime Darby Property.
He said the current developer seems to have failed to gain the trust of residents who oppose the land acquisition, and has also relocated residents before obtaining the consent of all affected residents.
“So, I proposed a solution to them (the residents). I said, you already have an association, and you’ve seen that this developer is a bit ‘cap ayam’ (dodgy) — I got a bit ‘hot’ (upset) too.
“Try to go and talk to the developer, ask them: ‘You can’t proceed because you’ve lost the people’s trust. So, to regain the trust of the people there, why not surrender the project?’
“Hand it over to UDA, and whatever compensation you have paid, if it’s RM62 million, negotiate with UDA. Let UDA carry out the project, and then the people will have confidence.
“That’s if UDA is willing. If UDA doesn’t want to, find another agency. Maybe Sime Darby Property, TH Properties - so that people will be reassured that the project will be completed,” he said during the “Podcast Utama” programme on TV3 last night.
Kampung Sungai Baru, Kuala LumpurJohari also alleged that the current developer is demanding high compensation if anyone wishes to take over the project, with the compensation value reaching RM170 million.
He said this while commenting on the controversy surrounding the development project at Kampung Sungai Baru.
The issue resurfaced recently after a group of opposition MPs visited the site and met residents who opposed the land acquisition.
During the meeting, resident representatives alleged that several former ministers and MPs had sided with the developer, including Annuar Musa, Shahidan Kassim, and the then-Titiwangsa MP, Rina Harun.
Previously, Malaysiakini reported that some residents refused to move not just because of compensation issues, but because they wished to defend their family’s ancestral homes.
ADSAccording to media reports, the development project began in 2016 with the consent of 260 residents but was halted when 37 residents objected.
The developer then invoked the Land Acquisition Act 1960 to take over the land.
Subsequently, 219 owners agreed to the acquisition, while 109 owners continued to defend their rights.
Developer’s biggest mistake
Commenting further, Johari, who is also the plantation and commodities minister, said that once the Land Acquisition Act 1960 was approved and 67 percent of residents had moved, the development could not be reversed.
He said most flat residents were promised compensation of RM10,000 in addition to temporary rental costs of RM1,200, and a replacement housing unit once the project is completed.
Johari explained that the developer made a mistake by asking residents who had consented to the project to move out of their homes prematurely.
Kampung Sungai Baru, Kuala Lumpur“Actually, the developer made the biggest mistake because, as a responsible developer, they should know that once you know you’ve secured 67 percent agreement but 33 percent have not agreed, you cannot move the 67 percent out.
“They should have let the 67 percent stay there for the time being because they had already agreed. The developer just needed to deal with the remaining 33 percent.
“If dealing with the 33 percent takes another five years, it’s fine, people wouldn’t be upset because they would still be living there,” he said.
Not Malay reserve land
During the one-hour session, Johari also clarified that the land in Kampung Sungai Baru is not Malay reserve land like Kampung Baru.
He said that land ownership in Kampung Baru is permanent - in other words, “as long as the moon and stars exist”, the land must remain under Malay ownership.
For any development proposal, Johari said, it must be initiated by the landowners themselves.
“But it is different for Kampung Sungai Baru because those are PKNS (Selangor State Development Corporation) flats. It’s leasehold. So many people are confused,” he said. - Mkini

---