THE Government and parties involved in the land acquisition for the Kampung Sungai Baru redevelopment project must conduct a transparent and impartial process and provide a full explanation to all residents, said Parti MUDA Wilayah Persekutuan chairman Taufiq Zarak.
He said that all residents are entitled to a competitive compensation value and that the voice of the majority owners must be considered.
“Time is running out for them. This is their right and the settlement between the residents and the developer should be expedited so that their right is not squashed and they do not become victims of some political game,” he remarked.
According to the Lands and Mines Department the land acquisition for the redevelopment of Kampung Sungai Baru was announced in June last year involving 72 flats, 37 terrace houses and a TNB substation lot.
“Terrace house and flat residents of Kampung Sungai Baru were forced to leave through the publication of Gazette Sections 4 and 8 of the Land Acquisition Act 1960 and notice given to residents under Section 8 was issued after only three days of Section 4 being given.
“The residents have repeatedly tried to hold a discussion and met with Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim to ask for help to postpone the second hearing and the minister had promised to help until both parties can reach a win-win.
“The Minister also asked developers to suggest some options and consult with the residents and the solution was the Harmony Package. Even then the package was biased and there were no guarantees in black and white.”
Kampung Bharu Development Corporation (PKB), in a statement on January 7 said that the Harmony Package offers a 900 sq ft residential unit worth RM300,000, with half of the compensation received by the flat owners for land acquisition to be returned to the developer.
The statement added that the Harmony Package residence will be equipped with three bedrooms, two bathrooms as well as one parking lot while the package for terrace house owners would be offered during the land acquisition investigation to be held later.
According to Taufiq the residents had met Shahidan for the second time and demanded that the minister cancel or withdraw the Act which was refused, with Shahidan offering to re-valuate the residents’ land instead.
“Until today terrace house residents are still waiting for the second trial and for appraisers to re-valuate their lands while almost all flat residents were given the house evacuation instruction notice (Form K) a few days before the start of the fasting month,” Taufiq pointed out.
The Kg Baru Development Corporation (PKB), as the rightful holder of low-cost flats involved in land acquisition for a redevelopment project in Kg Sg Baru also said that it will allow residents to remain until July 31.
“The residents’ concern is to find a home near Kampung Sungai Baru with facilities such as hospitals, business areas and public facilities that match the compensation price,” said Taufiq.
During a press conference on this matter former federal territories minister Khalid Samad had spoken about the situation and questioned the Government’s decision to use the Land Acquisition Act 1960 to deal with this matter.
“The Act allows for lands to be lawfully acquired for the construction of public facilities such as hospitals, schools, the mining of natural resources and economic development and the Government’s use of the Act for a privately-owned commercial project sets a dangerous precedence,” Taufiq clarified.
Khalid had also mentioned that the compensation given to residents must lead to an upgrade in their quality of life instead of the current amount offered which is a significant downgrade.
“MUDA Wilayah Persekutuan therefore urges the Government and all parties involved to provide a full explanation to the residents,” said Taufiq.
“Conduct a transparent and impartial process. The residents are entitled to a competitive compensation value and the stakeholders must consider the voice of the majority.”
During a ministry event recently Shahidan had assured Kampung Baru residents that there will be no evictions during the fasting month, adding that the negotiations between the developer and the residents’ representatives were ongoing to find the best solution for both parties. – April 20, 2022
