PUTRAJAYA: Kampung Sungai Baru residents who agreed to relocate will have their rental costs fully covered by the developer, says Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) said the rental would be covered until the residents’ new homes are ready.
She said most residents had relocated to PPR Batu Muda and Residensi Sungai Udang.
On Thursday, a scuffle broke out during the eviction process.
The next day, a committee representing a faction of the residents said it wished to meet government representatives to discuss the status of land ownership in the area, urging a temporary halt to the eviction.
On this, Dr Zaliha explained that the eviction was a court decision and not made by the government, adding that the committee could raise its concerns directly with the developer.
She also claimed Thursday’s ruckus was influenced by external parties.
“What happened was not caused by the residents.
“This is very upsetting. I know who is behind the provocation,” she told a press conference yesterday, adding that those involved were not from the area.
She said the land acquisition was gazetted in 2021 under the previous administration and the current government was addressing a legacy issue.
Describing the resistance as a “tyranny of the minority”, she said 72% of residents had agreed to the redevelopment.
“The eviction was a legal process carried out according to procedure.
“While most residents are not against the redevelopment, some may have issues with the compensation, a matter that can be resolved through the courts.
“We should put ourselves in their shoes. They have waited nine years,” she said, adding that due to the long delay, some residents had died in transit homes before they could move into their new units.
Dr Zaliha assured that even after redevelopment, property prices in Kampung Sungai Baru would remain affordable for the Malay community.
She said Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) guidelines outlined Malay ownership requirements – 100% for Malay reserve land, 70% for DBKL joint ventures and at least 40% for private developments.
“We are ensuring the properties will be affordable to Malays.
“We are not saying Malays cannot afford high-value properties, of course some can, but we are trying to ensure that the prices remain affordable,” she said.
She also rejected claims that the redevelopment was a form of gentrification.
“We will ensure the Malay village remains as an identity of the community.
“Cultural elements have been included in the architectural design, and residents have also given input,” she said.
She added that residents who agreed to relocate stand to become millionaires, which should be a source of pride as they will own property in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
Perbadanan Pembangunan Kampong Bharu chief executive officer Dr Khairul Nizam Othman said RM62.57mil in compensation had been disbursed so far to landowners and stakeholders of the redevelopment project.
The compensation, he said, was determined by the Federal Territory Director of Lands and Mines Office in line with the First Schedule of the Land Acquisition Act 1960.
“Through the joint venture offer, flat owners will receive a replacement home with an estimated value ranging from RM884,000 to RM1mil,” he said during a presentation on the project yesterday.
He added that terrace house owners would receive replacement homes valued between RM2.7mil and RM8.1mil.
The compensation package covers various costs, including property value, relocation expenses, loss of income, hearing attendance costs and valuation fees.
Dr Khairul said the land acquisition proceedings were carried out according to procedure.
