PUTRAJAYA must step in to help homeowners in Kampung Sungai Baru in Kuala Lumpur as they deserve fair compensation for being forced out, former federal territories minister and Amanah chairman Khalid Abdul Samad said.
He expressed disappointment with the government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for not being attentive towards the residents’ plight.
Khalid, a former Shah Alam MP, told The Vibes that homeowners who were against the redevelopment of their area should have received the same amount of compensation as those who had agreed.
“We have held several press conferences and have sent letters to the government but have yet to receive any reply.
“All we want is for the government to get involved and help these people get what they deserve.”
Khalid said the developer had offered compensation of between RM1,500 and RM1,800 per square foot, in addition to compensation in the form of property worth around RM1.02 million to those who agreed to its terms.
Those who were against the redevelopment only received RM450 to RM600 per square foot.
“This amount is way less than the Malay Agricultural Settlement land in Kampung Baru, which is valued between RM650 and RM850 per sq ft by the Valuation and Property Management Department,” Khalid said.
Kampung Sungai Baru has 264 Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) flats and 64 terrace houses located on a 5.23ha leasehold plot owned by Kampung Baru Development Corporation.
The redevelopment began in 2016 with the consent of 260 villagers, but the project could not proceed as 37 residents were against it. This prompted the developer to use the Land Acquisition Act 1960 to obtain the land.
In April, The Malaysian Insight reported that PKNS flat residents in Kampung Sungai Baru were refusing to move out.
They wanted more than the RM250,000 offered to them for the high-value location that faced the Petronas Twin Towers and was the last Malay reserve village in the city.
Despite being promised resettlement in high-value homes, 38 flat owners and 71 terrace house owners refused to accept the deal because the developer had failed to provide official documentation to back up its claims.
Madani government should intervene
Khalid said the federal government could influence the developer to increase the amount of compensation offered to those who refused to accept the deal.
He said there was nothing that the residents could do now except wait for the government to intervene.
“The government feels it cannot do anything because the project is going to go ahead. This is wrong. I don’t agree with this kind of reasoning.
“You have the power. If you don’t have the power, then I can understand. But now you do. You can influence the developer to meet the price that the homeowners deserve.
“What these people are getting is way too little. With less than RM200,000, how can they buy a new home? The developer, meanwhile, will make a multimillion-ringgit profit.
“Why must the government be on the side of the developer?” he asked.
Possible abuse of power
The Amanah man told The Vibes he suspected that misconduct and abuse of power had occurred.
He also questioned the opposition's silence over the matter.
“I believe there is an element of abuse of power. I hope the government can look into this and fix this problem.
“The Madani government cannot close their eyes to this issue,” Khalid said.
It was reported in December 2022 that the developer had already paid between RM800,000 and RM3 million in compensation to the terrace house owners.
Last year, the Federal Territory Land and Mines Office issued an order to vacate the land by October 5, failing which legal action would be taken. – August 7, 2024.
