THE opposition should stop politicising the Kg Baru land deal, said Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad today.

The redevelopment of Kg Baru is done in the interest and the benefit of its residents, whereby the government hopes to promote the area as a modern, comfortable and developed Malay settlement, he said. 

“Don’t play politics over this matter. We are taking care of the interest of the Malay and Muslim community, and we do not want a situation where the whole city has been developed but Kg Baru is not,” he said. 

He was speaking to reporters after presenting appointment letters to members of the Federal Territories (Planning) Appeal Board and the Federal Territories Planning Advisory Board in Kuala Lumpur. 

Last Saturday, Khalid said the government offered to buy land in Kg Baru at a rate of RM850 per square foot, as compensation to land owners and heirs, in return for redevelopment of the area, adding that the offer was the highest and based on a valuation by the Department of Valuation and Property Services. 

Khalid hit out at the opposition, whom he said had only offered a rate of RM300 per sq ft when they were in power, but now criticised the new offer as too low.

He urged Kg Baru folk not to be instigated by quarters bent on stopping the development from taking place. 

According to Khalid, the development of Kg Baru will involve 45,000 units of residential units in which 50% is earmarked as affordable homes. – Bernama, September 23, 2019.