KUALA LUMPUR – The unity government must not repeat the injustices of previous administrations by failing to mediate fair compensation for landowners and homeowners in Kg Sg Baru, said Federal Territories Amanah chief Khalid Abdul Samad.
Commenting on the parliamentary response by Federal Territories minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Khalid emphasised that the “minority group” of objectors still had a right to sufficient compensation and should not be coerced into following the majority’s decision.
“The government intervened using the Land Acquisition Act 1960 (LAA) to take over the land, so it must ensure justice is upheld. Once involved, the government is responsible.
“We hope this matter reaches the Federal Territories minister. We want to save the Madani government from any wrongdoing or cruelty against the homeowners here,” he said at a press conference at the residential area’s community hall today.
Last Wednesday, Zaliha said construction for Kg Sg Baru’s redevelopment project was scheduled to commence next year, following the private property developer Ritzy Gloss Sdn Bhd’s acquisition of a development order from Kuala Lumpur City Hall.
She also said the minority group of residents opposing the project had insisted “on being stubborn” by refusing to vacate their premises and causing several issues at the site, and she urged the public against being influenced by social media posts.
Out of the total properties on the land, 27 terrace houses and 192 flat units willingly accepted an offer from the developer in 2016, while 37 terrace houses and 72 flat units were subjected to compulsory acquisition under the LAA.
Khalid, the former Federal Territories minister, argued that the majority should be determined by the number of residents rather than land size.
He explained that most terrace house owners objected to the project. Additionally, he noted that residents had not received satisfactory answers regarding their compensation, which ranged from RM450 to RM600 per sq ft through compulsory acquisition.
According to the Valuation and Property Services Department, Khalid pointed out that the proper valuation should have been between RM650 and RM850 per sq ft.
Khalid also called on Titiwangsa MP Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani to assist in ensuring fair compensation for the residents, asserting that some residents were reluctant to sign the developer’s offer due to his influence.
Previously, Khalid said the developer Ritzy Gloss had initially offered landowners between RM1,500 and RM1,800 per sq ft in 2016 as compensation for their land titles.
He also said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s lawyers had given the prime minister inaccurate advice regarding the redevelopment.
In June, Ritzy Gloss ordered water cuts in the area prior to securing a development order needed to commence work.
Flat units in Kg Sg Baru have been without water since May 23, and terrace homes since June 10, the same day as electricity cuts.
However, the electricity supply was restored the following day after residents criticised the action.
The Kg Sg Baru Terrace Homes and Flat Owners Action Committee had met Anwar to seek fairer compensation following a developer’s offer of RM950 per sq ft – much higher than the RM450 per sq ft valuation by the Valuation Department. – July 15, 2024