PKNS Allocates Nearly RM90 Mln For New Bukit Baja Orang Asli Settlement

CYBERJAYA, May 26 (Bernama) -- The Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) has allocated nearly RM90 million for a cluster-based solution to develop and relocate the Bukit Baja Orang Asli Community.

State Housing and Culture Committee chairman Datuk Borhan Aman Shah said the initiative aims to ensure the welfare of the Orang Asli community remains protected amid the development of the Cyber Valley area.

He said the state government and PKNS had considered various factors, including the duration of community settlement on the land, before deciding on the compensation and relocation arrangements.

“As I have said before, we have carefully considered the interests of the Orang Asli community, including how much of the land they have worked on and how long they have been living in the area.

“Among the support provided are RM7,000 for relocation and demolition costs, a 1,000-square-foot house, and a RM100,000 cash goodwill payment,” he told reporters after the cheque presentation ceremony for settlers of the Bukit Baja Orang Asli village.

Borhan said that PKNS will also provide a special RM3 million contribution to set up a Customary Fund, an Education Fund and a Village Committee Fund for the benefit of the Kampung Bukit Baja Orang Asli.

He said that, in addition to the land, residents’ crops and farms were also evaluated, with compensation of up to RM200,000 per acre, depending on the size of the land and the type of crops.

“I believe that from the outset, all the recipients, and the Orang Asli community more broadly, have been satisfied with the system and process we have carried out, as the calculations were done fairly and are very reasonable,” he said.

Meanwhile, PKNS deputy group chief executive officer (Strategic Partnership), Md Kamarzan Md Rais, said in his speech that the relocation of the Orang Asli community in Kampung Bukit Baja is in line with the core principle of PKNS, namely inclusive development, where physical progress moves together with efforts to safeguard the welfare and dignity of the original community.

“PKNS understands that any change involving people’s homes and way of life is never easy. It remains committed to ensuring that the welfare, well-being, and dignity of the Orang Asli community are preserved, taking into account their views, needs, and concerns in a comprehensive manner.

“PKNS will continue to stand with the Kampung Orang Asli Bukit Baja community throughout every stage of the project, ensuring their rights, needs and voices are always heard and taken into account,” he said.

At the ceremony, PKNS issued the first payment, amounting to 10 per cent of the land compensation, to 100 settlers from Kampung Orang Asli Bukit Baja as part of the community’s relocation process.

PKNS is currently planning to develop a new settlement for the Kampung Bukit Baja Orang Asli community on an 8.87-acre site chosen by the Orang Asli chief (tok batin) and community representatives.

The proposed development includes 56 single-storey houses, each measuring 1,000 square feet, along with facilities such as a community hall, kindergarten, a treatment space, the tok batin’s office and Village Development and Management Committee office, a surau, and three shop lots.

PKNS issued compensation cheques as an initial phase payment of RM10,000 to 56 heads of households in the community on Jan 25.

-- BERNAMA