Kg Sungai Baru: Policy Mandating Affordable Ownership For Malays To Be Introduced - Dr Zaliha

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- A new policy mandating and creating affordable ownership categories for Malays will be introduced to boost Malay property ownership in the redevelopment of Kampung Sungai Baru, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa announced.

Dr Zaliha said the Federal Territories Department has been instructed to draft and study the implementation of this policy and related initiatives.

She said the policy includes the potential involvement of government-linked companies (GLCs) in the project development, with strict conditions that replacement housing must only be owned by Malays.

“In line with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) policy, I have directed the formulation of a policy document that mandates diverse types of development, particularly in Kampung Sungai Baru.

“This step aims to create new categories such as affordable Malay condominiums, affordable Malay SOHO (small office-home office), affordable Malay shop houses, and affordable Malay office spaces, in addition to continuing the Residensi MADANI and Residensi Wilayah projects.”

She said this during a ministerial briefing on the direction of Kampung Baru’s development towards strengthening Malay identity in Kuala Lumpur in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Meanwhile, Dr Zaliha said she had asked developers involved to form a task force to review and prioritise Malay interests and ownership in the Kampung Sungai Baru redevelopment project.

“This includes collaboration with GLCs such as UDA Holdings or the formation of a consortium of GLC developers to ensure the protection of Malay interests and ownership...and the developers have expressed their willingness to continue discussions on this matter,” she said.

Dr Zaliha also stressed that the MADANI Government’s priority is to expedite the redevelopment, resolving a longstanding issue that has persisted through multiple administrations.

“The owners involved in this project have been waiting too long for their rightful claims to be fulfilled. I have pressed and urged the developers to start the redevelopment immediately so that the majority who agree to it can return to Kampung Sungai Baru. This project has been delayed for nearly nine years since negotiations began in 2016.

“More importantly, replacement housing must be completed urgently. Until then, the agreeing group cannot return. I was informed that 40 people from this group have passed away without the chance to move back,” she said.

Tensions flared recently in Kampung Sungai Baru, with media reports on Sept 11 describing confrontations as several residents refused to vacate their homes amid eviction proceedings tied to the land acquisition process, which involves 67 terrace houses and 14 apartment blocks known as Pangsapuri Sungai Baru.

-- BERNAMA