QuickCheck: Are Kg Sg Baru homeowners against redevelopment of their neighbourhood?

RECENT events seem to indicate that the residents and homeowners of Kg Sg Baru in Kuala Lumpur are against the redevelopment plans for the area.

Is this true?

Verdict:

FALSE

In truth, some 89% of owners, which include the PKNS flats as well as nearby terrace houses, have already agreed to it.

The plan, which involves building 64 terrace homes and 264 stratified units at the site, began in 2016.

Since then, some 60 engagement sessions were held until Oct 7, 2020, which saw 67% or 219 owners signing the agreement.

This first group of residents were offered condominium units measuring about 1,000sq ft, valued at roughly RM1mil, in the new development.

However, the project failed to take off as some residents still refused the redevelopment, which prompted the developer to use the Land Acquisition Act 1960 early last year.

Those who were yet to agree were offered between RM200,000 to RM300,000 as compensation, leading to their protest in December.

In response, the developer offered them "Pakej Harmoni", which comprised 900sq ft units at the site, priced at half the compensation amount.

Early this year, the Department of the Director-General of Lands and Mines (JKPTG) issued Form K, a notice explaining the land take-over.

After that, 72 more flat owners gave their agreement for the redevelopment, leaving only 37 terrace owners who were yet to come onboard.

This means that as of now, all 264 flats and 27 terrace owners have already agreed, which made up 89% of residents.

Kampung Sungai Baru is sandwiched between the Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (Akleh), and the Kampung Paya and Kampung Pindah – which are sub-villages of Kampung Baru.

The 5.23ha village is sited on leasehold land under the Kampung Baru Development Corporation, of which 3.18ha was earmarked for redevelopment.

Here, there are 264 units across eight blocks (A, B, C, D, E, F, G and N) of walk-up flats as well as 64 terrace houses of varying sizes.

References:

1. https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2022/04/25/majority-of-kg-sg-baru-folk-keen-on-development

2. https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2022/04/11/no-raya-eviction-for-kg-sungai-baru-pkns-residents-says-jkptg