KUALA LUMPUR – Titiwangsa MP Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani has claimed that the redevelopment of Kg Sg Baru should not be delayed again after six years as urged by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim himself.
He alleged that his side was informed of the matter by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) last month.
“Previously, the PMO gave an extension until October 31 this year. Now it is November, and there are no longer postponements. The developers have to complete (this project).”
“I wish to thank the prime minister for agreeing that there should not be an extension.”
Johari said this after officiating a Deepavali donation ceremony to the Indian community in his constituency, Berita Harian reported.
A few days ago, Johari urged the government to immediately commence the area’s redevelopment project, claiming that most residents there have agreed to its continuation.
However, Anwar’s political secretary Datuk Azman Abidin recently told Scoop that private property developer Ritzy Gloss Sdn Bhd’s application to erect wire fencing around properties in the area – which was submitted on October 31 – was rejected by the PMO.
“The developer (Ritzy Gloss) applied to set up fencing, but we rejected (the application) because the land does not belong to them yet. Legally, the land belongs to the government.”
“(Ritzy Gloss) has a legal right to apply for ownership of the land since, under the LAA (Land Acquisition Act), they paid a deposit of 150% of the land value. But, they have to follow the proper process to acquire the land from the government, which will involve amalgamating the lands first.
“Since the land now belongs to the government, no one (else), including developers, can touch residents who are still living there,” he said.
The Kg Sg Baru land is considered government property, after the then Perikatan Nasional administration approved Ritzy Gloss’ application for the government to take formal possession of it in 2021, under the Land Acquisition Act 1960.
Azman also confirmed that the Prime Minister’s Department, which oversees federal territory matters after restructuring measures under Anwar’s leadership, had received a letter of intent from a company interested in taking over the project from Ritzy Gloss.
However, he said the government will not interfere in matters involving deals between private firms.
Kg Sg Baru Terrace Homes and Flat Owners Action Committee chairman Lele Suzana revealed that several development firms have come forth expressing their willingness to take over the project.
Residents of Kg Sg Baru had previously received numerous eviction notices from the Kuala Lumpur Land Administrator, where landowners were ordered to vacate their homes by October 31, after the date was pushed back from October 19.
Scoop also met several residents, as well as former federal territories minister Khalid Samad and a lawyer representing the action committee, on the ordeal in the area. – November 5, 2023