KUALA LUMPUR – Numbers and facts released by the Kg Bharu Development Corporation (KBDC) are skewed and do not represent the actual sentiments of residents within the area, the Kg Sg Baru Terrace Homes and Flat Owners Action Committee said today.
In a lengthy statement today, the committee chastised KBDC for trying to pit Kg Sg Baru residents against each other by releasing inaccurate numbers.
The committee further claimed that the numbers issued by KBDC gave the impression that only a minority of homeowners were still disagreeing with compensation terms by developer Ritzy Gloss Sdn Bhd, which plans to raise a commercial development where their homes now stand.
“KBDC should actually be raising the appeals made by residents involved to the upper management and become the facilitator that upholds the voice and welfare of residents and landowners, and not to become a spokesperson for the developers by issuing threatening statements,” wrote the committee.
Among the inaccuracies being circulated by KBDC, according to the committee, include the 88.72% approval rating from homeowners supposedly obtained by the developer, which is said to have omitted the sentiments of 72 more flat owners who disagree with the land takeover.
The committee also questioned why 34 terrace homeowners’ sentiments were not considered by the developer and KBDC, alleging such were the loopholes exploited by the developer to push through the land acquisition gazettement done under the Land Acquisition Act 1960 (LAA) despite not meeting the prerequisites.
The committee claimed the land acquisition declaration for the project was gazetted less than one day after the gazettement notice was issued, which occurred in June 2021 when the country was under a state of emergency and the residents were unable to take to the streets to express their dismay due to pandemic restrictions.
“This was a very clear form of oppression, tyranny, and injustice done against the landowners of Sg Baru.
“We were denied the right voice out through the forceful enforcement of the LAA against us even though we are the registered landowners with official ownership grants and are not squatters.
“If this matter is left alone without the interference of legal bodies or the prime minister, then it will surely set a terrible precedent to landowners around the country because the LAA can be used to their whims and fancies if the owners do not agree with the land acquisition or compensation being offered by private developers,” they wrote.
The committee’s statement comes in response to an update by KBDC last week when it asserted the project in Kg Sg Baru must continue after meeting all the legal requirements under the LAA.
The KBDC even warned of a potential RM80 million payment the government could be liable for if the project fails to see the light of day despite fulfilling all requirements.
On Saturday, Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said his ministry was refining the legal aspects of the land acquisition process for the redevelopment project.
This, Shahidan had said, was to ensure that the welfare of residents, including 37 owners who did not agree to the project as well as 291 owners who had moved to transit homes, would be well taken care of.
Last week, political party Pejuang filed a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over alleged misconduct by the KBDC while handling the project.
The committee also questioned the weight of approval given to strata title owners in the Kg Sg Baru flats, whom they claim, despite having a greater number of residents, do not correctly represent the sentiments of owners geographically in the area.
They also claimed engagement sessions meant to involve homeowners and the developer had instead turned into meetings with KBDC representatives offering stale compensation offers that were apparently identical to those made in 2016 and 2019.
“Claims that each terrace lot would get payments between RM2.7 million and RM7.4 million are completely untrue.
“There has been no offer made to us in the form of cash compensation and we were only given ‘in-kind’ offers and an estimation of the yet-to-be-completed apartments being offered.
“In fact, even many residents who have moved out have yet to receive their compensations until today, unlike previously promised,” they said.
Previously, The Vibes reported how residents of Kg Sg Baru were left irate after they were quoted a 310% difference in compensation offered by the Lands and Mines Office, as compared with private valuations.
They also disagreed with KBDC’s warning that the government could end up footing compensation costs should the project fail, saying the private developer should be aware of such risks and unexpected costs, and be the one covering the losses instead of taxpayers.
Additionally, the committee made comment on allegations of KBDC’s chairman being declared bankrupt, saying any decisions he contributed to beyond his insolvency notice issued in October last year should be null and void as he lost the locus and capacity to lead the body. – The Vibes, June 22, 2022
