KG Baru residents and landowners have accused Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad of lying and using psychological warfare over his announcement that about 90% of them have agreed to accept the government’s offer price for their land.

They told The Malaysian Insight that the 90% figure quoted by the minister did not represent the real number of stakeholders in the area, adding that it is actually based on forms returned to Kg Baru Development Corporation (PKB) on their approval for redevelopment.

Slamming the minister, they said the number quoted by the minister was only a mere 8% of the total of 5,374 landowners in Kg Baru.

“We are so disappointed with such lies and are now thinking twice about the government’s proposal for development.

“We also have our own plans for Kg Baru. It is a win-win situation with the government, without us needing to sell our land. We want to develop Kg Baru with government funds,” said landowner Ar. Mohtar Rahmad.

Last week, Putrajaya offered landowners RM850 psf in return for four options as compensation so that Kg Baru can be developed, which the government assured will retain the area’s Malay identity.

The four options offered to the landowners were cash, house at the new project (at the site), a combination of cash and house, or become a shareholder of the new project.

On Tuesday, Khalid had said that based on the number of forms submitted to PKB, about 90% of the landowners have agreed to accept the government’s offer price of RM850 psf for their land.

“So far, we have been informed that 700 to 800 forms have been returned to PKB and from the total more than 90% have agreed to the offer from the government,” he had said.

Another Kg Baru resident, Mastura Abu Samah, 57, also expressed disappointment with Khalid for giving an inaccurate picture on the matter.

“I spoke to many other Kg Baru residents, and they all are angry with Khalid’s lies,” she said.

She added that while they were not against developing Kg Baru, they want such development to be done in accordance to their wishes.

“We agree with the development proposal but it has to adhere to our concept. Khalid gave four options and they all involved us selling off our land. No other choice,” she added.

Landowner Azizah Abdul Latif meanwhile fears the projects, if not undertaken properly, will end up being abandoned, which would result in her land being in a quandary.

“In the 80s, some of Kg Baru landowners had entered into an agreement for developing the area but the project got abandoned. A total of 53 lots have been stuck as a result with the people still servicing their bank loans.

“I don’t want to suffer a similar fate. We are okay with the government undertaking to develop Kg Baru, but it has to be in accordance with what we want,” she said.

The Association for Landowners and Descendants of Kg Baru Landowners (PPTWT) is also disappointed with minister Khalid.

“I can’t accept what Khalid had said. This is his propaganda and psychological game. More than 200 people walked away from the recent town hall meeting with his ministry.

“This shows the people are not interested in his proposals. How can he say 90% of them have agreed?” said the association’s secretary Zainudin Ismail.

He said PPTWT has sent five letters – from last September to this June – to Khalid to discuss the development of Kg Baru but has received no response from him.

“We want to meet him and talk to him openly but he refuses to meet us. He only wants to talk to PKB.

“He didn’t respond to our letters but suddenly has come up with this RM850 psf offer,” he added.

Yesterday, activists and researchers told The Malaysian Insight that the price offered by the government for Kg Baru land can be lower than other commercial areas so long as it retains its Malay identity and ownership.

They warned that demanding a higher price will result in Kg Baru remaining underdeveloped.

Majlis Perundingan Melayu (MPM), a Malay community watchdog, said residents must understand Kg Baru’s special status, and strive to keep its legacy. – October 5, 2019.