Kg Sungai Baru folk urged to discuss ‘new deal’ with existing developer

An aide to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has advised residents in Kampung Sungai Baru, Kuala Lumpur, to discuss with the existing developer if there are others who are interested in taking over the redevelopment of the village.

Azman Abidin said any new proposals or offers by any developer do not involve government intervention.

He said this after the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) received a letter from a company that expressed interest in taking over the redevelopment of Kampung Sungai Baru.

The company is said to be ready to offer higher compensation to the residents and cover all costs previously incurred by the existing developer.

“While the proposal is good and substantial, I advise the action committee (village residents) that any new proposal must have the consent of the current developer.

“Therefore, I urge the committee to negotiate with the existing developer,” he told Malaysiakini.

On Oct 29, the village committee stated in a press release that several other developers were interested in taking over the project, including covering all costs previously incurred.

“These developers are also willing to compensate the owners who have received notices, the owners who have not received notices, and the owners who have signed agreements with the developer.

“With this alternative, the owners will have several options.

“These developers are also prepared to pay compensation of RM950 per square foot, which is significantly higher than the Valuation and Property Management Department’s (JPPH) valuation of RM450 per square foot, which confirmed the JPPH’s 2018 valuation of RM850 per square foot for land in the International Commercial Zone,” said the committee.

Further postponement not possible

Meanwhile, Azman said that the application to postpone the eviction notice until Dec 31, 2023, could not be considered further because the land had already become government property.

“However, the existing developer’s proposal to fence up the land has not been approved by the government because the land no longer belongs to the developer.

“What is important here is that the government will not allow any party, especially the residents of Kampung Sungai Baru, to be excluded from this development,” he said.

The issue of land acquisition in Kampung Sungai Baru involves 67 terrace houses and 14 apartment blocks known as Pangsapuri Sungai Baru, with the land acquisition process starting in 2016.

In July last year, the residents of Kampung Sungai Baru received notices under Section 8 of the Land Acquisition Act 1960, which compels them to vacate the land with compensation.

However, the residents, particularly the terrace house occupants, disagreed with the compensation rate of RM400 per sq ft set by the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory’s Department of Lands and Minerals.

So far, residents of 37 terrace houses have disagreed with the compensation offered, while 27 occupants have agreed.

Since then, residents have received two eviction notices, which were previously postponed by Anwar.

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