Kampung Baru Ramadan eviction outrage caused by misinterpretation, says FT Minister

THE uproar among residents in the Kampung Baru eviction during Ramadan issue was caused by a misinterpretation by certain parties, says Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (pic).

The Federal Territories Minister said that a news report had misinterpreted what was supposed to be an accompanying letter to explain the land take-over notice (Form K) as an eviction notice.

This had led to an uproar among the affected residents of the PKNS low-cost flats in Kampung Sungai Baru, Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur.

“The letter issued by the Federal Territories Land and Mines Department (PTGWP) is an accompanying letter and not an eviction notice.

“This was misinterpreted by certain parties, including the news portal, without looking at the letter.

“The letter sent to the flat owners is part of the legal process of land acquisition," he said during a press conference held at an appreciation dinner for flood rescue mission volunteers at Kompleks Perbadanan Putrajaya, Putrajaya on Monday (April 11).

Shahidan also assured the residents that they would not be evicted during Ramadan.

On April 9, Malaysiakini reported that house owners at Kampung Sungai Baru were upset that they had received eviction notices on April 1, two days before the month of Ramadan.

It also reported that several of the property owners were unhappy with the compensation.

Shahidan said that consultation with the developers and owners on the compensation was not finalised yet.

“If there are owners who are dissatisfied (on the compensation), then prove it to me.

“I will pay the compensation, even if it means taking a cut from my salary.

“Anyway, my representative will be meeting with the owners at Kampung Sungai Baru tomorrow (April 12),” he said.

Earlier, the Department of the Director-General of Lands and Mines (JKPTG) had issued a statement that residents of the PKNS flats would be able to stay on until July 31.

“The issuance of this accompanying letter is a standard procedure in the land acquisition process to inform that the flats are vested to the relevant statutory body, namely the Kampung Baru Development Corporation (PKB).

“PKB, as the rightful holder of the flats, have no restrictions to allow the former owners to continue living there until July 31.

“PKB will issue a letter of permission to the owners once Form K is issued by JKPTG,” the department said in a statement today (April 11).