KUALA LUMPUR: A group of Kampung Baru residents and landowners has formulated what they claim is a more feasible proposal for the redevelopment of the Malay enclave located in the heart of the federal capital.
The Pewaris Kampung Baru Group Association, which represents residents and land owners in the seven villages which comprise the district, believes its proposal would be able to redevelop the 122-hectare Malay heritage land.
Its secretary, Zainudin Ismail, said that they are seeking a dialogue session with Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad to present the proposal which they claim is widely accepted by Kampung Baru residents and landowners.
He said that Pewaris held engagement sessions with various stakeholders on the government's new redevelopment proposal, before coming up with their own model.
Zainudin added that the association has made at least five attempts to meet the minister, but none of their requests has been entertained.
"We believe that we have a better development model, one that would benefit the landowners who would not have to surrender their ownership as an ultimate solution.
"We are not against development. However, letting go of the heritage land would mean that…future generations would be denied their right to the land," he said.
Zainudin revealed that the alternative model calls for a joint venture between the government, developers and landowners.
He also denied reports that 90 per cent of Kampung Baru landowners are agreeable to the government’s recent offer.
"(It) is not true, as many are reluctant to take up the government’s offer.
“(In contrast), our model represents more owners and is well accepted by the majority. He (Khalid) should sit down and hear us out," he said
Following a town hall session in September, some residents admitted that Kampung Baru needs redevelopment, but were unhappy with the government’s offer of RM850 per sq ft of land.
This was followed by the Malaysian Malay Chambers of Commerce (MMCC) secretary-general Amirhamzah Karim quoting RM2,000 per square foot as the apt price for land in Kampung Baru.
In April, Khalid had said that the government would fork out between RM6 billion and RM10 billion to acquire all land in Kampung Baru to speed up the realisation of its master development plan, which has been stalled for decades by ownership tussles.
He had said that a RM10 billion fund may be required if all landowners in Kampung Baru agree to accept cash for their land to be developed as well.
According to the Kampung Baru Development Corporation, the estimated gross development value (GDV) for the enclave, based on the new master plan currently being drafted by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), is between RM50 billion and RM60 billion.
The seven villages at the centre of the Kampung Baru land tussle are Kampung Periok, Masjid, Pindah, Paya, Hujung Pasir, Atas A and Atas B.