Khalid Samad says will discuss Kg Baru land purchase offer with Dr M

PUTRAJAYA (Bernama): Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad (pic) says he will meet with Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to discuss the government's offer to purchase Kampung Baru land from its owners at the Pakatan Harapan leaders' retreat this weekend.

He said whether a better deal could be offered, compared to the previous bid of RM850 per sq ft, would depend on the discussion.

“So I will talk to Tun (Dr Mahathir), once I can confirm and will say this is the final offer – if they accept it, Alhamdulillah, if they do not accept, what can I do?

“If they accept (the offer), we will go ahead (with the project); if they do not accept it, I may have to meet them one on one, or in smaller groups to explain to them, ” he told reporters after launching the Putrajaya Smart City Blueprint here Thursday (Oct 3).

Khalid, who was asked to comment on the Kampung Baru redevelopment project, said he would also look at the possibility of offering the owners some equity in the project.

“Let’s say everyone is given a stake in the development, if the project is successful and profitable, then everyone will benefit from it – because we fear that if we offer a price too high, it will affect the viability and visibility of the project.

“We need to determine an offer that is reasonable and can guarantee a profit, not just profit, but also feasibility, ” he said.

On the proposal by the Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia of using a leasing method as an alternative to solve the Kampung Baru land dispute, Khalid said the scheme would be difficult to implement.

“What will happen is that all the residents in Kampung Baru would not be able to receive the value of their land, because they are leasing it and not selling.

“Secondly, leasehold means that after the expiration of the period, the person (developer) who has built the houses, the buildings and so on, has to return it (the land) back.

“Is the developer willing to do that?” he said.

On Wednesday (Oct 2), Khalid was reported to have said that of about 700 to 800 forms received by the Kampong Bharu Development Corporation (PKB) from the residents with regard to the redevelopment of the area, about 90% of landowners had agreed to the offer of RM850 per sq ft by the government. – Bernama