PUTRAJAYA must not use the law to take over land from Kg Sungai Baru residents in Kuala Lumpur as it would leave the villagers without a solution, former Federal Territories minister Khalid Samad said today.

In a press conference this morning, the Amanah lawmaker explained that by using the Land Acquisition Act 1960 on the residents, Putrajaya is only helping the developer while leaving home owners in limbo.

His comments today came after a negotiation between the residents and Perbadanan Kg Baru (PKB) turned sour following PKB’s refusal to side with the villagers.

“First of all, the government cannot use the Land Acquisition Act on the people in Kg Sungai Baru because it is not fair for them as negotiation is still ongoing.

“The problem is with the developer who refused to give reasonable compensation for the residents,” he said.

He said the residents of the village, which is part of the iconic Kg Baru, are willing to negotiate.

He added that what they want is fair compensation.

“The government’s move to use the law to acquire the land would be like helping the developer gain huge benefit from this project while leaving these people (residents) helpless.

“The government must not side with the developer because this is a private project and not a government project. Putrajaya must stay out of this matter,” Khalid stressed.

In April, Kg Sungai Baru residents pleaded with Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to cancel a gazette that allowed a developer to acquire their dwellings and compensate them, which they say was an unfair sum.

Khalid in his previous press conference said the offer made by the developer to the owners of the flats and terrace houses was ridiculous.

The Malaysian Insight had reported that households in the Selangor State Development Corporation flats in Kg Sungai Baru are refusing to move out even after an eviction notice following a takeover of the land by a developer.

Those refusing the order said they would stay put to fight for higher compensation than the RM250,000 offered per household in the high-value prime location facing the Petronas Twin Towers.

The last Malay reserve village in the middle of the city, Kg Baru is iconic and dear to its residents and heritage conservationists who want to preserve the area’s cultural and historical significance.

The issue of land acquisition in the area started in 2016, when the developer, Ritzy Gloss Sdn Bhd, which is a subsidiary of Suez Capital Sdn Bhd, made an offer to develop the area through a joint venture with the residents. This was aimed at giving the residents a say in their relocation and the development plans.

Since then, until 2020, the developer has reportedly obtained the approval of 226 flat owners and 27 terrace house owners in the area.

The development plans for the area include the resettlement of all flat and terrace house residents in new apartment blocks that are promised to be of high value.

Luxury condominiums, offices and retail space would be built in the land to be taken over.

Meanwhile, Khalid told the press that he suspects something is wrong as the government is eager to help the developer acquire the land from the residents.

The Shah Alam MP also said he had formed a task force consisting of lawyers to look into the matter and will also lodge a report to the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

“We see that the government is so eager in helping the developer instead of trying to find an amicable solution for everyone.

“Why is the government and the PKB siding with the developer? We want to know and we will lodge a report to the police and MACC so that investigation can take place,” he said.

Khalid also reiterated his previous call for Ismail’s intervention.

He said it is no use for the Bera MP to claim that he is leading a Keluarga Malaysia campaign if the people in Kg Sungai Baru are not defended. – June 12, 2022.