Don't speak for developer on Kg Sg Baru, residents tell development corp

Kampong Bharu Development Corporation (PKB) should steer clear of the issues involving Kampung Sungai Baru redevelopment if it is not involved in the first place, said a residents group.

The group’s adviser, Muzaffar Razman, accused the development trust of making statements on behalf of the developer.

“If Kampung Sungai Baru has nothing to do with Kampung Baru, as PKB claimed, then why is it making statements on the matter and on behalf of the developer? Why is it defending the developer?

“I also want to ask (federal territories minister) Dr Zaliha Mustafa, who was also there (when PKB made the statements), what she intends to do with Kampung Sungai Baru.

“I dare say that they are not only defending the developer but acting as their tools, making statements for the developer who has not said anything,” he said at a press conference today.

Muzaffar was responding to Zaliha’s remarks on Sept 12 where she said that affected residents must hold discussions with the developer and not the government.

On the same day, PKB said that 236 out of 328 homeowners have agreed to the redevelopment plan and that some RM62.57 million compensation has been paid out.

Muzaffar and Kampung Sungai Baru Residents’ Rights Committee chairperson Zainab Alias also called for Malay Agricultural Settlement (MAS) administrative board honorary secretary Shamsuri Suradi to resign.

Zainab said that Shamsuri and PKB should read up on the Kampong Bharu Development Corporation Act, which states that the corporation holds responsibilities as a facilitator.

“So does he (Shamsuri) understand his duties and responsibilities towards the Kampung Baru community? Does he understand the borders and areas of Kampung Baru?

“Just let it be known that we, in Kampung Sungai Baru, have nothing to do with PKB, so why did he suddenly appear and seemingly side with the developer?” she questioned.

Residents grateful to S’gor sultan, Johari

The residents also expressed their gratitude towards Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah after he reminded stakeholders involved in the Kampung Baru redevelopment to prioritise Malay interests.

“We were deeply moved by His Royal Highness’ decree, as well as his sadness and grief over the injustice following the demolition of the residents’ houses, which was done without a clear court order.

“The sultan’s decree has inspired us who are being oppressed and persecuted. Indeed, what happened to the residents is an injustice. The houses where we sheltered on our land were demolished without mercy.

“We bear the suffering, but remain confident that the truth will come out. We are grateful for the sultan’s concern and for standing with the people,” Muzaffar said, adding that they hope justice will prevail.

They also praised Titiwangsa MP Johari Abdul Ghani for his attentiveness to the issue, calling him a “modern Hang Tuah”.

“This is the leader that we want; one that is not afraid to admit his mistakes and correct them right away. With this kind of leader, the modern Hang Tuah will never be lost from the world.

“With his statement, it is as bright as day that our land is indeed part of MAS.

“It would be a scary thing if the developer puts further pressure to demolish our house, following the sultan’s decree and Johari’s mandate,” he added.

Yesterday, Johari told a Buletin TV3 podcast that the eviction on Sept 11 should not have happened, and that the developer had taken advantage of the residents by pursuing the eviction process.

MAS is a specially designated and gazetted area in Kuala Lumpur which offers certain land tenure protection for Malays.

Among the land protected under MAS were Kampung Baru. However, Zainab claimed, on April 25, that the Kampung Sungai Baru land also falls within MAS.

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