KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will decide on the best way forward for Kg Sg Baru’s redevelopment once all relevant stakeholders have been engaged, said his political secretary Azman Abidin.
Azman said the Tambun MP is well aware of the redevelopment woes that have plagued some homeowners in Kg Sg Baru since 2016, and is committed to finding a solution.
However, Azman said he is unable to give a definite timeline for any announcement by the prime minister although he assured that it would be “soon” following a fact-finding mission including engagement with relevant agencies.
“I will also do my part to meet with homeowners, developers, and the members of Parliament to get all the relevant information and present them to the prime minister,’’ he said to reporters during a press conference held by some Kg Sg Baru residents here today.
The press conference today was held by those who called themselves the “majority” of Kg Sg Baru residents who support the area’s redevelopment and want it to commence immediately.
They did not get a recent eviction notice as they have agreed to the compensation and new units to be provided in the redeveloped area after work is completed.
The majority group’s representative, Mohd Adam Abdul Aziz, said homeowners here were “disappointed” with Anwar’s decision to put a hold on the redevelopment as announced last month through his political secretary, Azman.
Adam said that while the majority accept the compensation amount, only a “minority” group of residents are opposing the compensation amount to be paid by the government through the Land Acquisition Act 1960. Their disagreement does not represent the majority sentiment of affected homeowners, he added.
“We, the majority, felt that our rights and voices were denied when there was no effort from the government to hear our concerns.
“The statement issued by your office recently to temporarily halt the project is disappointing and has severely affected our emotional state,” Adam said to Azman today.
“We do not oppose any intention or effort by the government to uphold the rights of owners…the same effort should also be directed to us, the majority who agreed to the redevelopment project,’’ he said.
However, he also said that the majority want the compensation to be paid by the developer, not the government.
During the press conference today, Adam handed a memorandum stating the majority of residents’ support for the redevelopment to Azman.
On January 29, another group of Kg Sg Baru homeowners held a press conference seeking government intervention for fairer compensation.
The group of residents led by Lele Suzana Kudari, said homeowners did not want to be not “bullied” or “coerced” into accepting a one-sided agreement that favoured the developer.
Clarifying that the group was not against redevelopment, Lele said that any assessment or compensation for affected homeowners must ensure a “win-win” situation is reached for all parties involved.
Previously, the residents of Kg Sg Baru who disagreed with the compensation offered had received an eviction order 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.
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
