URBAN redevelopment projects in Kuala Lumpur must prioritise the welfare of public housing residents, taking heed of the prolonged delays and challenges faced in Kampung Sungai Baru, Minister of Plantation and Commodities Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani has emphasised.
Speaking at the Program Santuni MADANI organised by his ministry at Flat Sri Perlis 2, Kampung Datuk Keramat, Johari noted that residents’ concerns over potential relocation due to redevelopment will be handled with diligence and transparency.
“What happened in Kampung Sungai Baru, where the project remained incomplete for over eight years and the original developer sold its shares to another party, must serve as a lesson for all. We do not want citizens to be disadvantaged and unable to receive the homes promised to them,” he said.
Program Santuni MADANI aims not only to fulfil the ministry’s Key Performance Indicators but also to bring leaders and civil servants closer to communities, allowing them to understand and address local issues affecting residents.
Johari said the ministry will closely monitor all redevelopment projects undertaken by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to ensure tenants’ and residents’ rights are safeguarded.
“Residents in this area are also concerned about their future. I want to assure them that urban redevelopment will take into account all raised concerns, and any proposals from developers will be carefully discussed with the ministry, DBKL, and myself as their representative,” he said.
He added that he plans to meet with the Mayor and the Minister of Federal Territories to discuss the future of Flat Sri Perlis 2. “Developers have approached me, but many proposals are unclear or poorly structured, so we will review and discuss them carefully before taking any decision,” he explained.
Highlighting the unique status of public housing in the area, Johari noted that most residents are tenants rather than property owners. “These flats were built around 40 years ago to assist low-income families to live close to work in the city, offering affordable rental rates,” he said, adding that many tenants are over 60 years old and retired, making careful consideration of redevelopment plans crucial.
As part of the Program Santuni MADANI initiative, heads of households among the asnaf community received food baskets containing essential daily items, aiming to alleviate the cost of living for low-income families and ensure the government continues to meet their needs.
Additionally, agency counters provided information on opportunities in the agri-commodities sector, available assistance, and technical advisory services, fostering more effective two-way engagement between communities and the ministry.
Johari reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to strengthening service delivery and community engagement to boost public confidence and ensure government support is delivered inclusively and, in a citizen-friendly manner. - December 13, 2025
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