KUALA LUMPUR – Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) Titiwangsa candidate Khalid Abdul Samad has voiced his disappointment over his Barisan Nasional (BN) rival Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani’s stance on the Kg Sg Baru, Kg Baru land acquisition.
The Vibes’ Bahasa Malaysia sister portal Getaran reported that Khalid criticised the Federal Territories Umno chairman for not defending the rights of those whose land has been “unfairly” seized, despite the fact that Johari is a Malay leader.
“This act has been used to seize people’s land. The owners were forced to agree with the price offered. This is a precedent that must be stopped.
“I am confident that if PH is back in power, the mechanism to forcefully acquire land without the owners agreeing to the developer’s price will be stopped,” he said after the nomination period at SMK Aminuddin Baki here, today.
He stressed that such action is a form of oppression and that all Malay and Muslim leaders must protect these landowners so that their property is not seized to be handed over to developers.
“The Kg Sg Baru development is not about building public facilities, not to build schools or public amenities but instead, it is a decision by BN to help and assist developers,” said Khalid, voicing his disappointment that a local like Johari has not lent his support to the landowners.
“This is a reflection of BN itself. Even though it is led by leaders who are Malays, chanting long live the Malays, but when Malays are being oppressed, all of them shut up.”
Meanwhile, Johari, who had lost the seat during the last election, said the electorate’s choice this time around is critical, seeing that Malaysia is facing multiple problems – particularly a tanking economy.
He added that with his background as the second finance minister in Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s cabinet during the 13th parliamentary term, he has the experience to navigate the current economic crisis.
“I can contribute to the federal government at a bigger scale with my experience if I am elected as MP,” he said, adding that he has never stopped serving the Titiwangsa constituency even though he did not represent the seat in the 14th Parliamentary term.
Khalid and Johari are facing a four-cornered fight on polling day this November 19.
Other hopefuls are Perikatan Nasional’s Dr Rosni Adam and Pejuang’s Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan. – The Vibes, November 5, 2022
