Where's the clarification, Kg Sungai Baru residents ask PM

Kampung Sungai Baru residents want an explanation from the prime minister over their eviction notice due on Oct 4, after they were promised a clarification over the redevelopment in the area.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim previously ordered the redevelopment project of Kampung Sungai Baru in Kuala Lumpur to be postponed in January in order to enable a renegotiation with residents and other stakeholders.

The residents received their eviction notice on Sept 5 issued by the Land and Minerals Office and the Perbadanan Pembangunan Kampung Bharu.

“Referring to the eviction notice, we would like to express our disappointment and would like to demand an explanation from the prime minister about the postponement period of only one month, that is, up to Oct 4 from the notice given to every house.

“This issue has affected house owners and residents of Kampung Sungai Baru who are waiting for an explanation from the government as promised by the prime minister,” the Sungai Baru house owners action committee said in a statement today.

The committee also called for renegotiations to take place again between house owners and the developer, as advised by Anwar since the postponement of the project in January this year.

The government should also take stern action against the developer for moving several residents to transit houses before receiving the full approval of those living in the flats and terraces over the redevelopment, it said.

No representatives from relevant departments have been present to ensure the welfare of the evicted residents so far, the committee said.

This makes the residents feel as if the issue is not taken seriously by the government as they face difficulty in referring this matter to the relevant minister. The Federal Territories portfolio is placed under the prime minister.

In line with this, the prime minister should issue a statement about the eviction notices, the committee said.

“Kampung Sungai Baru residents hope that this issue continues to get the attention from the unity government, specifically the prime minister… and the relevant authorities to ensure that the rights of residents are justly and appropriately upheld,” the statement read.

On Dec 19 last year, the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory’s Department of Lands and Minerals director-general issued an eviction notice to its occupants who are 99-year leaseholders.

This was despite the leases still having 57 years remaining.

The Kampung Sungai Baru land acquisition issue involves 67 terrace house units and 14 apartment blocks known as Sungai Baru Apartments which were part of a land acquisition process starting in 2016.

Residents, especially those of terrace houses, do not agree with the compensation rate of RM400 per sq ft set by the department.

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