The controversial Kampung Baru Development Corporation Bill 2010 was today scrapped and will be replaced with a new and improved 2011 version, said Federal Territories and Urban Well being Minister Raja Ning Chik Raja Zainal Abidin.

At a press conference at Parliament building this morning, Raja Nong Chik said the move by the government was made after taking into account feedback from the stakeholders.
 

"The new law will be tabled later in this session, will be after taking into consideration feedback from the stakeholders which included Malay Agriculture Settlement (MAS) authority, landowners and NGOs," said Raja Nong Chik.

He explained that amongst the changes in the new and "improved" Kampung Baru Development Corporation Bill 2011 will be the total abolition of the much-opposed 'Clause 15' of the old bill.
 
Clause 15 would have given the proposed development body sweeping powers in acquiring land for development.

"The clause will be taken out totally from the new bill," he said.

Other changes will include the creation of a deputy-chairperson on the corporation's board who must be from amongst the landowners or their heirs.

The number of seats allocated to the landowners and their family will also be increased from two to five.

NONE He assured also that the other board members will be experts, though they may or may not be from Kampung Baru, and it will be up to the ministry to appoint.

Raja Nong Chik ( left ) said that the changes came about as a result of  ongoing government engagement with stakeholders on the matter.

He dismissed suggestions of a conflict of interest, saying the bill proposes the appointment of a government agency answerable to Parliament in the development of Kampung Baru, rather than a company where he or others involved have an interest in.

He also disclosed that the development of Kampung Baru will also involve government-linked companies.

The proposed law was to be read for the second time today, the commencement of the 12th Parliament's third meeting and fourth session.

'We would've done it even without Pakatan'

 
The opposition Pakatan Rakyat had earlier declared victory in its struggle against the controversial bill after Raja Nong Chik announced its withdrawal this morning.

In a tweet, PKR's Batu MP Tian Chua said:  “Viva, victory to PakatanRakyat & late Dr Lo' Lo'," referring to the late PAS MP for Titiwangsa Dr Lo' Lo' Ghazali who had made the issue of Kampung Baru among her foremost concerns.

 
Lo' Lo' passed away in May this year after succumbing to cancer.

PAS had spearheaded the campaign against the bill and called for its terms to be renegotiated with the participation of Kampung Baru residents and landowners.

Raja Nong Chik, however, downplayed the opposition claim.

"Even without Pakatan, we will do the same thing."

He also took a dig at the opposition for making such claims.

 
"If they are so confident about winning Putrajay in the next year, then they should not worry. I am laying the groundwork for them. When they take Putrajaya, they can take over. If they are not confident about taking Putrajaya then, (they should worry)," sniped the minister.

Titiwangsa PAS' Youth, meanwhile, lauded the withdrawal of the bill, but expressed hope that it was not a temporary measure or a "political gimmick" to hoodwink the rakyat as the 13th general election looms overhead.

The government should, on the contrary, be sincere in seeking to ensure the welfare and rights of Kampung Baru residents and landowners are protected at all times, said the division in a statement.

Century-old enclave

The bill to set up a corporation to take charge of development in Kampung Baru was tabled for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat on Dec 14, 2010.

NONE The proposed corporation is to govern the 111-year-old enclave of 90.2 hectares located within the central district of Kuala Lumpur, where seven traditional Malay villages are located.

According to the amended Kuala Lumpur Draft Plan, the entire area is to be developed into a commercial district.

The second reading of the bill was supposed to have taken place during the March sitting of Parliament, but was put off.

Raja Nong Chik had said then that the delay was to allow the landowners and their heirs to provide feedback.

Amendments to the bill were then proposed, to be made at the parliamentary committee level.

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