KUALA LUMPUR: The Malay Agricultural Settlement (MAS) Board is neither part of nor relevant to the management and development of Kampung Baru here, according to the Federal Territories Ministry.
In a statement, the Kampung Baru Development Corporation (PKB) said that the ministry had sent a letter to MAS to update the latter's status on Feb 13.
It said that the Attorney-General's Chambers' standpoint is that MAS's role in administrative functions for the Malay settlement in the heart of the capital, including in planning and municipal management, is no longer relevant.
This effectively makes the administrative board irrelevant as it nullifies its role.
MAS had been in charge of overseeing the infrastructural development of Kampung Baru since it was established in 1900 through the Land Code Enactment 1896.
The decision was made after Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah agreed to hand over all matters regarding the status of MAS to the ministry, in accordance with present laws, on Dec 2 last year.
"As such, MAS can no longer approve development orders, building plans, engineering plans, building and land work permits, public road closures and permission to occupy buildings in Kampung Baru."
All Kampung Baru land administration functions are under the Federal Territories Land and Mines Office (PTGWPKL) and not under MAS, as stipulated in subsection 5(1) of the Constitution (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1973 [Act A206].
"MAS's instruments must be abolished because it did not have any function, as most of its land has been transferred and the remainder is waiting to be transferred.
"The management and planning of Kampung Baru are now under Kuala Lumpur City Hall's jurisdiction, as stipulated in the Federal Territory (Planning) Act 1982, City of Kuala Lumpur (Planning) Act 1973, Local Government Act 1976, and Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974, according to the ministry," said the corporation in a statement.
However, it said that the ministry has welcomed MAS's involvement as a non-governmental organisation or consulting company in helping solve the distribution of land and inheritance for Kampung Baru residents.