KUALA LUMPUR – Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa is set to convene a crucial meeting regarding redevelopment plans in Kg Sg Baru. However, Khalid Abdul Samad warns that the meeting risks being one-sided if it does not include input from all residents.
The Federal Territories Amanah chairman underscored the importance of engaging with residents in the Malay enclave who opposed the redevelopment spearheaded by private property developer Ritzy Gloss Sdn Bhd.
“A Kg Sg Baru residents’ association has been invited to be part of the meeting, but this is the group of residents who, I’ve been told, agree with the project. (This means that) residents who disagree with the project will not be represented.
“By excluding those who are opposed to the project, the minister will not be given an accurate depiction of the situation. This is part of a game played by those who are in cahoots with the developer,” Khalid told a press conference today.
The group referenced by the former federal territories minister is the Kg Sg Baru Property Owners Welfare Association, which has consistently backed Ritzy Gloss’ proposed redevelopment in the area while claiming to represent a majority of residents.
On the other hand, there is also the Kg Sg Baru Terrace Homes and Flat Owners Action Committee chaired by Lele Suzana, who previously met with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to explain that residents opposing the project are merely seeking fair compensation.
According to a copy of the invitation for tomorrow’s meeting at the Federal Territories Department in Putrajaya, Zaliha is expected to attend the meeting alongside Titiwangsa MP Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani and department director-general Datuk Noridah Abdul Rahim.
The invitation, sighted by Scoop, was also sent to Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Kamarulzaman Mat Salleh, a representative from the Federal Territories Lands and Mines Office and Ritzy Gloss director Abdul Hadi Ahmad.
The document detailed that Ritzy Gloss will be presenting a report on several issues relating to redevelopment works in Kg Sg Baru, such as the current status of premises evacuations and opposition towards land acquisitions.
The developer is also scheduled to present a timeline for the project and inform the meeting on the status of its applications regarding layout and technical plans.
On April 20, Johari urged Ritzy Gloss to hand over the project to the government if it found itself unable to proceed with its plans, which had been on hold for about six years.
Johari, who is also plantation and commodities minister, insisted that the project must resume immediately to ensure the wellbeing of residents who had put their lands and homes on the line.
Last October, Lele revealed that a developer keen to take over the project in Kg Sg Baru had agreed to provide compensation of RM950 per sq ft to terrace house and flat owners, a much higher figure than the RM450 per sq ft valuation set by the Valuation and Property Management Department.
The compensation will extend to landowners whose homes were gazetted under the Land Acquisition Act (LAA) 1960, those whose residences were not gazetted and residents who have already accepted Ritzy Gloss’ initial offer.
Located just a stone’s throw away from the Saloma Link and the Kg Baru LRT station, Kg Sg Baru consists of 98 leasehold terrace houses and 264 flat units in eight blocks.
Out of the total properties on the land, 27 terrace houses and 192 flat units willingly accepted an offer from Ritzy Gloss.
In 2021, following the Perikatan Nasional administration’s approval of Ritzy Gloss’ application for the government to take formal possession of land in the area under the LAA, 37 terrace houses and 72 flat units were compelled to undergo compulsory acquisition.
Landed property owners argue that, as the acreage ratio of their lands is higher, their votes in the matter should take precedence over those of flat owners in strata housing.
Previously, local government expert Derek Fernandez told Scoop that Section 3(1)(c) of the LAA, which was used by the government to take over Kg Sg Baru land, must be read with other sections of the legislation for eviction orders to be legally viable.
Failure to do so, he said, would raise doubts over whether residents were compelled to adhere to eviction notices issued by the Kuala Lumpur land administrator on various occasions.
After becoming prime minister, Anwar postponed the project’s continuation in January last year, pending negotiations with residents and stakeholders.
Scoop also previously spoke to Kg Sg Baru residents, Khalid and a lawyer representing the action committee on the issues happening in the area. – April 22, 2024