Compensation Payments For Residents Opposing Kampung Sungai Baru Development Completed – Dr Zaliha

KUALA LUMPUR, 9 Okt (Bernama) -- Compensation payments to residents of Kampung Sungai Baru who opposed the development project in the area have been completed, with amounts ranging from RM198,000 to RM2.9 million, depending on the type of house.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the compensation was calculated based on market values determined by the Department of Valuation and Property Services (JPPH), with terrace houses ranging from RM800,000 to RM2.9 million and flat units from RM198,000 to RM350,000.

She added that all payments had been fully disbursed to residents between February 2022 and January 2023.

“The compensation package also includes relocation expenses, rental, valuation fees, and loss of income. This clarifies claims that some residents have yet to receive their payments.

“In fact, compensation was provided not only to property owners but also to current tenants at the time of acquisition, covering both rental losses and relocation costs,” she said during the Minister’s briefing on the Development Direction of Kampung Baru for Strengthening Malay Identity in Kuala Lumpur, held in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Elaborating on the compensation, Dr Zaliha said the amounts offered to residents during the land acquisition were more favourable than the actual market value.

She noted that property transaction records from 2015 and 2019 showed the original market values were considerably lower, with flat units priced between RM120,000 and RM180,000, and terrace houses ranging from RM200,000 to RM480,000.

She added that any property owner dissatisfied with the compensation can seek recourse through existing legal channels, and the government will fully respect the court’s ruling.

“If the court rules that the developer must increase the compensation, the developer is required to comply. Conversely, if the court upholds the original amount, property owners must accept and respect the decision.

“Nonetheless, the ongoing court proceedings will not impede the progress of the Kampung Sungai Baru development,” she said.

Dr Zaliha said that at the time, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) also provided temporary housing at People’s Housing Programme (PPR) in Batu Muda, Bukit Jalil, Sri Aman, and Residensi Sungai Udang for residents who did not agree to the land acquisition, as a means of supporting those affected.

Regarding the Residensi Sungai Udang accommodation, she said residents were offered a rental rate of approximately RM350 per month for the first year, increasing to RM680 per month in the following years.

She added that DBKL also approved several three-year PPR rental applications at a nominal rate of RM124 per month, while the developer provided logistical support to residents who accepted the temporary housing.

On Sept 11, media reports described a tense situation at Kampung Sungai Baru, where residents facing eviction refused to leave their homes.

The Kampung Sungai Baru land acquisition involves 67 terrace houses and 14 apartment blocks, known as Pangsapuri Sungai Baru, with the process having commenced in 2016.

-- BERNAMA