KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s lawyers are providing him with inaccurate advice regarding the Kg Sg Baru redevelopment saga, claims Federal Territories Amanah chief Khalid Abdul Samad.
Referencing a recent meeting with Anwar, the former federal territories minister said the prime minister had informed him of certain advice he had received from his legal counsel regarding Kg Sg Baru residents’ plea for fairer compensation.
“I told (Anwar) that there is a need for the Valuation and Property Services Department to review the valuations of the property (involved in the redevelopment project),” the former lawmaker told a press conference in the Malay enclave, here today.
“(Anwar) told me he was advised by his lawyers that if negotiations are conducted with landowners who rejected the developer’s initial offer, such discussions will also have to be held with landowners who have already accepted the developer’s offer.
“(Anwar’s) lawyers are giving him wrong advice and information. There is no need to renegotiate with those who accepted the initial offer (as) their compensation rate is higher than what was offered to residents who declined to hand over their land.”
Khalid said that while Anwar, who is also Pakatan Harapan chairman, did not respond to his objections on the matter, he will attempt to meet the prime minister again in the near future to push the issue again.
Nestled near the Saloma Link Bridge and Kg Baru LRT station, Kg Sg Baru comprises 98 terrace houses and 264 flats.
It is understood that owners of 27 terrace houses and 192 flats accepted the initial offer, while 37 terrace houses and 72 flats rejected it.
Those who declined were later offered about RM450 per sqft through compulsory acquisition, which residents claim is inadequate.
According to Khalid, the project’s property developer Rizty Gloss Sdn Bhd had initially offered landowners between RM1,500 to RM1,800 in 2016 as compensation for their land titles.
Khalid said the lower compensation is due to the previous Perikatan Nasional administration’s approval of Ritzy Gloss’ application to utilise the Land Acquisition Act, which allowed the government to take formal possession of the land in 2021.
“The approach taken by the government and its agencies now, unfortunately, is to only negotiate with the developers as landowners here have lost the right to their lands due to the use of the LAA,” Khalid said.
“I put the blame on the government. There is no reason to blame land owners who have now been made into squatters (due to the previous administration’s use of the LAA).
“The way the current government is handling the problem now is not in a very Madani way. The only person who can solve the issue now is the Federal Territories minister (Dr Zaliha Mustafa). If she can’t do it, then the prime minister must step in,” he said.
Khalid also urged Umno’s Titiwangsa MP Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani to take responsibility for his constituents, noting that some residents rejected Ritzy Gloss’ initial offer based on Johari’s advice.
Previously, Ritzy Gloss had ordered water cuts in the area prior to securing a development order needed to commence works.
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, electricity supply was restored the following day after residents criticised the action.
As of today, water supply has not been restored, and barriers have been erected around the flats.
The Kg Sg Baru Terrace Homes and Flat Owners Action Committee had met with Anwar, seeking fairer compensation, following a developer’s offer of RM950 per sqft, much higher than the RM450 per sqft valuation by the Valuation and Property Management Department. – June 26, 2024
