YAB Tun, you are scheduled to meet the landowners of Kampung Baru on September 21 on its redevelopment plan. But there are many questions still unanswered.

In April, I wrote the article “Be on same page in Kampung Baru plan” (The Star).

In May, a report said the Kampung Baru Detailed Development Masterplan, launched in 2015 will be scrapped since the current layout is not suitable. A new master plan, initated by DBKL is on the drawing board focused on providing sustainable living. The standards will be at par with buildings within KLCC and like Putrajaya, there will be lots of open space.

Kg Baru is 120 years old with a land area of 121.4ha and is administered by Kampung Baru Development Corp (KBDC). About 89ha of it  is Malay agriculture settlement and while 32.4ha of it are Chow Kit and PKNS flats combined.

Valuers put the land price between RM500 to RM800 per sq ft.

In April, it was estimated that up to RM10 billion will be required to acquire around 61ha. If the decision is to acquire, an indication will be given on the price and subject to agreement from landowners based on willing-buyer-willing-seller basis. The option is to get cash or an apartment in return for the portion of land.

KBDC said DBKL hoped to present the first draft of the new master plan to all land owners by August. The option is to get cash or a new apartment in return for their land and there is no other choice, said the CEO. “We will have more details on what the land owners want following the presentation in August,” he added.

It seems the new redevelopment plan will have 7.7 million sq m of residential (70%) space and 30% commercial floor space, with iconic corporate towers and retail complexes without any landed houses. It is to subsidise the development with an estimated gross development value (GDV) of up to RM60 billion, subject to market conditions and demand.

The plan essentially is to raise the income and quality of life of Kg Baru residents and landowners and to extend the Golden Triangle with expectation of increased property prices.

Suddenly, the rural development minister came into the picture saying the name Kg Baru should be retained and a thorough investigation conducted to identify the actual number and status of each resident in Kg Baru.

In July, KBDC made a statement that it will present the Kampung Baru Development Plan to the Rural Development Ministry.

Tun, the questions that need answers include:

1. There are no proper and concrete plans yet but the options available to landowners is to get cash or a new apartment and there is no other choice. Isn’t this a forced land grab? Landowners have not seen the first draft of the new master plan.

2. How to provide sustainable living if it is a land grab?

3. How to raise the income and quality of life of landowners when there are no other options available? At least, consider shareholdings in the development company.

4. What happened to the willing-buyer-willing-seller proposal?

5. Current land prices are depressed and not favourable to landowners and advantage is to the developer when prices increase later.

6. It is a Malay-reserve area. Will the GDV of RM60 billion be easily taken up?

7. RM10bn is for land acquisition, how about development costs? Transparency is lacking here and hopefully this plan is not for political mileage.

8. Were there proper studies done such as environmental, social and traffic impact?

9. Who is really drafting the new plan – DBKL or KBDC?

10. Why was the MAS representative not in attendance at the first briefing on September 2?

Tun, Kg Baru is the only sizeable Malay enclave in a city centre in the whole world. Let it be a showcase on the capability of the Malays to develop a project of such scale, professionally and abide by the rule of law.

Please rethink… what say you?

*Saleh Mohammed reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.