Electricity restored, Kg Sg Baru residents breathe sigh of relief

The electricity supply for 37 families facing eviction in Kampung Sungai Baru, Kuala Lumpur, has been restored - two days after being cut off.

According to resident Nadia Ali, 35, the supply restoration was carried out by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) personnel, accompanied by reserve police officers between 10.30pm last night and 7am today, at occupied flat units and terrace houses.

"Several residents who sit on the acting committee monitored the supply restoration works to ensure that no houses were left behind," she told Malaysiakini.

Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported that 37 residents in Kampung Sungai Baru were left dry and in the dark when the electricity and water supply were cut off amid an eviction row.

This prompted former federal territories minister Khalid Abdul Samad to slam the authorities for treating the residents like squatters.

Another resident, Saiful Azhar Ibrahim, 52, also breathed a sigh of relief with the restoration of electric supply.

former Federal Territories minister Khalid Abdul Samad

"Thank God, a bit relieved. At least we can hold up much longer, but not sure for how long as the water supply is still out," he said.

'Thank you TNB, media'

Meanwhile, Khalid, in a statement, thanked TNB for the power restoration and the media for highlighting the issue.

The Federal Territories Amanah chief said it was timely given Muslims will usher in the Hari Raya Aidiladha festivities next week.

It is worth noting that the 37 families are among those who had received notices under Section 8 of the Land Acquisition Act 1960, which compels them to vacate the land with compensation.

The land acquisition process at Kampung Sungai Baru started in 2016, involving 64 terrace houses and 14 apartment blocks known as Pangsapuri Sungai Baru.

The residents were served notices in July 2022 but the group, particularly the terrace house occupants, disagreed with the compensation rate of RM400 per sq ft set by the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory’s Department of Lands and Minerals.

To date, 37 terrace house lots have not agreed to the compensation offered, while another 27 have agreed. Another 34 terrace house lots in the area are not subject to gazetting.

Since then, residents have received two eviction notices, which Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim ordered to be postponed.

Among others, the residents demand that the compensation amount be increased from RM400 per sq ft to between RM950 and RM1,000 per sq ft.