KUALA LUMPUR: The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, wants Kampung Baru to be developed – provided it is done without erasing the village’s Malay characteristics, said Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad.
Khalid said that during a two-hour audience with the Sultan last week, he and his officials were also told that Kampung Baru, in its present condition, is no longer suitable for modern and comfortable living.
“Its surrounding areas have developed rapidly, making Kampung Baru appear to be left behind,” the minister said in a statement here, on Monday.
Khalid also revealed that the Sultan has ordered that the Malay enclave’s historic and iconic landmarks, such as Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru and Kelab Sultan Sulaiman, be retained and fully restored for the benefit of future generations
The ministry has also taken note of the Sultan’s instructions to maintain Kampung Baru’s name, as well as the names of historical roads there which are associated with the genealogy of the Selangor Sultanate, and key personalities involved in the early establishment of the area.
“The ministry is aware of the long history involving Kampung Baru and the Selangor Sultanate.
“As a result of the concern and vision of the Selangor Sultanate in 1899, Kampung Baru was built as a Malay settlement in the middle of the city.
“Therefore, the ministry will definitely give special attention to all the views of the Sultan of Selangor on Kampung Baru,” he added.
Khalid said the meeting at Istana Bukit Kayangan in Shah Alam also gave him an opportunity to report to the Selangor Sultan on the proposals for the redevelopment of Kampung Baru and the issue on the status of the Malay Agricultural Settlement (MAS). – Bernama