KUALA LUMPUR – A group of Kg Sg Baru residents is seeking Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s direct intervention to help resolve the long-standing redevelopment issue in the area, especially on fair compensation for affected homeowners.
The group’s action committee chairman, Lele Suzana Kudari, expressed gratitude towards Anwar’s recent order to suspend redevelopment there, but now seeks the prime minister’s help to address concerns faced by affected homeowners towards the proposed plans.
Lele said homeowners were seeking fair compensation to ensure that they are not “bullied” or “coerced” into accepting a one-sided agreement that favours the developer.
Clarifying that the group was not against development, Lele said that any assessment or compensation for affected homeowners must ensure a “win-win” situation is reached for all parties involved.
“We are not greedy. Any payments (to homeowners) must be proportionate against profits garnered by the developer after the completion of the redevelopment.
“The developers are projected to garner huge profits so where is the rationale that only they should have the advantage?
“Is it wrong for us, the homeowners, to put a value on our property, it is our right? If you think it is expensive and not affordable, don’t buy or take it,” she said during a press conference here today.
This comes after the Tambun MP had recently given the order to suspend an eviction order against the residents, which was issued by the Kuala Lumpur Lands and Mines Department on December 19, 2022.
The eviction order had given them 30 days to move out or until January 19 to vacate their homes.
However, this was recently superseded by Anwar’s directive and is effective for an indefinite period until the matter is resolved.
Lele also explained that there were “discrepancies” in the agreement the developers made with terrace and flat-unit owners.
“There are also a lot of promises thrown by the developers but there is no proper documentation to back these promises, leaving many homeowners worried that our rights and interests may not be protected,” Lele claimed.
In seeking a resolution to issues arising from the redevelopment, the action committee has submitted a memorandum with suggested solutions to Anwar.
The contents of the memorandum, however, were not revealed to the media, with Lele stating that the prime minister should be the first person to be informed of the finer details.
However, the crux of the issue falls on the RM400 per sq ft compensation rate that was set by the KL Lands and Mines Department, which the residents are heavily disputing, said Lele.
“There are many issues arising from redevelopment; however we are seeking fair compensation, with the assessment done by private evaluators compared to the price that has been set by the (KL Lands and Mines Department), which is extremely low and unfair,” she said.
Also present at the press conference was former federal territories minister Khalid Abdul Samad who also urged the KL Lands and Mines Department to abide by the suspension order issued by Anwar.
“I hope that the department would abide by the suspension order and halt the eviction notice from being referred to the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
“Because if this were to happen, then the matter will fall under the jurisdiction of the judiciary as the department is now pursuing legal action against affected homeowners.
“The prime minister then could not intercede in the affair as it has become a legal matter,’’ said Khalid.
Khalid, who had served as federal territories minister under then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, had even proposed a blanket RM1,000 per sq ft as the base price for compensation for homeowners affected by the redevelopment project.
The Kg Sg Baru land acquisition issue involves 64 terrace house units and eight apartment blocks known as Sg Baru Apartments, which were part of the land acquisition process that started in 2021.
Kg Sg Baru is part of 11 parcels of land that make up the iconic Kg Baru Malay enclave located in the capital. – The Vibes, January 29, 2023
