A GROUP of Kampung Baru villagers do not want former federal territories minister Khalid Samad to interfere in the land deal between developer and residents.

Badan Bertindak Projek Pembangunan Semula Kampung Sungai Baru chief Mohd Adam Abdul Aziz said Khalid had no jurisdiction to get involved.

His comments came after Khalid said residents are not going to be kicked out despite receiving eviction notices.

Khalid said residents would not move until talks about compensation that would cover the current value were held, as well as their next placement should they sell.

Adam criticised Khalid saying more than 10 police reports had been lodged against him.

“He doesn’t know the full story. He shouldn’t interfere. We are also considering suing him.”

“Everyone has been paid (compensated). Flat owners were compensated in May 2022 while terrace homeowners in January 2023.

“Even Lele Suzanna, the spokesman for Kampung Sungai Baru Action Committee, had received her share. Why is he still making noise?” Adam said when contacted.

Khalid was not available for  comment.

Adam said the land is now owned by the Land and Mines Office.

He was commenting on an earlier report, quoting Lele, saying a new developer had offered residents higher compensations.

Adam said home owners were given three options.

“First is, they can take the money and leave. Second, they can accept the money with objections and take the case to court but the land is no longer theirs. Third, they can reject it totally.”

“They chose the second option.”

On February 4, more than 260 residents sent a memorandum to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to intervene.

The redevelopment began in 2016 with the consent of 260 villagers, but the project could not proceed as 37 residents were against it.

The 37 people had tried to get Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s attention when the Bera MP was prime minister.

In April, The Malaysian Insight reported that residents in Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) flats in Kampung Sungai Baru were refusing to move out.

They want higher compensation than the RM250,000 offered for the high-value location facing the Petronas Twin Towers.

As the last Malay reserve village in the city, Kampung Baru is dear to its residents and conservationists who want to preserve it.

Plans for its redevelopment have been marred by disputes over compensation and project aesthetics that alter the area’s appearance.

The eight-block PKNS flats, located near the Saloma Link, sit on a 1.4ha plot.

The issue of land acquisition started in 2016 when developer – Ritzy Gloss Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Suez Capital Sdn Bhd – offered to develop the area.

Plans include resettling all residents at new apartment blocks that developers promised would be of high value while luxury condominiums, offices and retail space would be built on the land.

Ritzy Gloss said the new apartments would be between 83sq m and 111sq m and worth between RM850,000 and RM1.2 million.

Despite the promise, 38 flat owners and 71 terrace house owners refused the deal because the developer failed to back its claims.

Meanwhile, Adam was asked if he was aware of a statement by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s aide, Azman Abidin, who told residents to discuss with the existing developer.

Adam said he found out through a newspaper article.

“That’s another problem. There is no official letter given and it was all made through media reports.

“I cannot comment anymore. We need to speak to our lawyer and wait until Monday,” he said.

Azman told Malaysiakini that any new offer from any developer would not involve the government.

He said this after the Prime Minister’s Office received a letter from a company that expressed interest in taking over Kampung Sungai Baru.

The company is ready to offer higher compensation to the residents.  – November 5, 2023.