KUALA LUMPUR: Ownership of land in Kampung Baru will remain in Malay hands, without disregarding the importance of development in the strategic area, says Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
He said development will continue to take place in Kampung Baru in stages to benefit the population.
“As long as there is a moon and stars in the sky, the land ownership will remain in Malay hands. This has already been enshrined in the agreement, as the land was bestowed by the Sultan of Selangor around 18 years ago.
“There are many who do not understand issues related to Kampung Baru, and resort to accusing the government on not carrying out development in the area,” he said.
Johari was speaking to reporters after ceremony to handover Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) Baiti Jannati project (Federal Territory-level) houses in Kampung Baru on Friday.
Also present was A Sivanas, who is general manager of TNB’s Kuala Lumpur (customer support) Distribution division.
TNB’s Baiti Jannati project, which began in 2007, is part of its corporate social responsibility to repair the homes of the needy. As of 11 April, a total of 547 homes have been repaired nationwide, involving a cost of RM22.32 million.
Johari said, the government has remained consistent in helping the people of Kampung Baru but face numerous challenges, including small lot sizes and ownership issues.
“Many lots in Kampung Baru are small in size, making it difficult to be developed in the context of modern development.
“If there was an opportunity to merge the lots after obtaining the consent of the land owners, I am certain that even more developers would be interested in developing the area.
“However, we will still continue our efforts to develop the area so it does not look like a ‘squatter area’, as claimed by some irresponsible quarters,” he said.
Johari, who is also Titiwangsa Member of Parliament, said the opposition need not politicise the development of Kampung Baru as they do not fully understand the problems affecting the area.
“They (the opposition) only come here once every five years, and suddenly want to become the hero and teach us.
“I’d like to teach them a thing or two as well. Kampung Baru is not a squatter area. If it was a squatter area, it could be easily developed. This land has history, with inheritance involved,” he said.