Kg Sg Baru redevelopment: Don’t be cruel like past govt - Khalid

Former Federal Territories minister Khalid Abdul Samad has urged the government not to repeat the past administrations’ mistake of failing to properly mediate between the developer and landowners in the Kampung Sungai Baru redevelopment project.

He said since the government invoked the Land Acquisition Act 1960, it has the responsibility to ensure the landowners receive fair compensation.

“You must understand the moment you (the government) get involved, you are responsible (for the outcome of the negotiation). You are responsible (for this).

“We hope this matter can reach the Federal Territories Minister (Dr Zaliha Mustafa). Please, we want to save the Madani government from committing wrongdoing and cruelty against the landowners here,” he said in a press conference at the Kampung Sungai Baru community hall in Kuala Lumpur.

Khalid was responding to Zaliha’s remarks in Parliament, where she said the project would proceed since the majority of Kampung Sungai Baru residents had agreed to the terms and compensation to be provided by the developer.

Hear minority’s voices too

In his response, Khalid said the while “majority” may have agreed to cut a deal with the developer, this did not mean the government could ignore demands from the “minority”.

This is vital, he added, as some have claimed to have been offered a disproportionate amount of compensation for their house or land.

Citing statistics, the former MP said 192 low-cost flat owners had reached a deal with the developer, while 72 abstained.

As for land owners and those with landed property, 27 of them agreed with the developer’s compensation while 37 were against it.

“If you look at the numbers, the majority who agreed (to the deal) are flat dwellers.

“When it comes to the land owners and those with landed property, a majority disagreed.

“However, for now, statements being issued seem to misconstrue the actual situation and it doesn’t help when the administration is employing the same approach of the previous government, where they are using the voice of the majority to pursue this,” Khalid stated.

Titiwangsa MP must intervene

Khalid urged Titiwangsa MP Johari Abdul Ghani to intervene on the matter, claiming that some of the residents were persuaded by the latter not to sign a compensation deal with the developer.

"You were the one who told them not to sign (the agreement). I hope Jo Ghani plays a role in determining fair compensation. That’s all.

“This is not to obstruct the project, nobody wants to stop the project. Just give fair compensation,” he said.

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