KUALA LUMPUR: Kampung Baru will end-up being sidelined from modern progress which is taking place in surrounding areas of the Malay enclave here if it continues to oppose redevelopment.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said if the 120-year-old enclave does not embrace change it would continue to exist in contradiction with its modern surroundings.
“The disorganised conditions in Kampung Baru makes it an uncomfortable place. To address this problem, it needs to be overhauled.
“As it is now, even the Malays do not want to live in Kampung Baru. What is more unfortunate is that foreigners have begun moving in to stay and do business there,” he said.
Dr Mahathir said this in a pre-recorded speech during the town hall session with Kampung Baru landowners at Dewan Perdana Felda here today.
He also took a dig at dissenting stakeholders for opposing redevelopment of the enclave.
“Unfortunately, despite centuries passing Kampung Baru has remained the same,” he said.
Dr Mahathir said among reasons why the Kampung Baru master plan was objected to was that redevelopment would drive Malays out from the city centre.
“This is unfounded and not true at all. The interests and position of Malays is the core to the development of Kampung Baru” he stressed.
Dr Mahathir said this was provided for in the Kampung Baru Development Act which states that the interest of the Malays including their social, economical, heritage, customs, culture and historical position would be given priority in all developments that are to be carried out.
Dr Mahathir said Kampung Baru would be better off if it was properly planned and redeveloped with complete infrastructure and network of green spaces provided for recreational and community activities.
This in turn would be able to draw in more Malays to live in the enclave as well as increase value of its property prices.
He assured that all development in Kampung Baru would follow set guidelines on Malay and Islamic architecture.
“This means the development of Kampung Baru will take into consideration its heritage and historical aspects as the symbol of Malay pride in the heart of the city.”
Dr Mahathir also said the redevelopment of the enclave would provide opportunities for Malays to engage in commercial and business activities in the city.
Previous reports had said that the proposed Kampung Baru redevelopment would be on par with buildings located within KLCC, which comprises offices, premium retail space, luxury hotels and apartments, and convention facilities.
Kampung Baru consists of seven villages that formed a “Malay Agriculture Settlement” in over 89 hectare area and comprises Kampung Periok, Kampung Hujung Pasir, Kampung Masjid, Kampung Paya, Kampung Atas A, Kampung B and Kampung Pindah.
Heritage buildings in the area include Sultan Suleiman Club, Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru, Masjid Pakistan, and Gurdwara Tatt Khalsa.
The proposed redevelopment will also encompass part of the Chow Kit area and PKNS flats.
The Kampung Baru Development Corp (KBDC) was established in 2012 to facilitate the development of the area but there have been no major changes since.
The redevelopment project spans over 20 years under the Kampung Baru Detailed Development Master Plan that was launched in 2015.
There are over 5,000 landowners holding 1,355 lots which is usually jointly owned by family members.