Editor's note: The Selangor palace has since issued a statement saying Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah's remarks were not directly commenting on the current redevelopment of Kampung Sungai Baru.
Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has reminded stakeholders involved in redevelopment projects within the Kampung Baru area in Kuala Lumpur to prioritise Malay interests.
Stressing that Kampung Baru’s heritage and historical role as a Malay enclave must be safeguarded, His Royal Highness said the issue must be handled carefully and prudently.
“In every consideration made by all parties involved in this matter, the original history and heritage of Kampung Baru must be taken into account,” Sultan Sharafuddin decreed in a statement today.
“Kampung Baru has been a symbol of Malay awakening since 1900. Therefore, I wish to emphasise once again that Kampung Baru plays an important role in the survival and dignity of the Malays in Kuala Lumpur.”
As such, Sultan Sharafuddin said any decision or development effort in Kampung Baru must consider the present and future interests of the Malays.
Previously, Titiwangsa MP Johari Abdul Ghani said he would meet Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa to ensure that redeveloped properties in Kampung Sungai Baru can only be purchased by Malays.
The plantations and commodities minister’s assurance came after court bailiffs, alongside several related agencies, led an eviction operation at Kampung Sungai Baru, a residential area within Kampung Baru.
The eviction met resistance and resulted in Dang Wangi district police chief Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman sustaining injuries amid the chaos. The operation was being carried out following a court order meant to facilitate KL City Gateway Sdn Bhd’s redevelopment of the area.
Walking down memory lane
Sultan Sharafuddin also noted today that Kampung Baru, established in 1899, was recognised as a Malay Agricultural Settlement via a Selangor state gazette granted by his ancestor, the fifth ruler of the state.
“I myself once lived and studied at SK Raja Muda in Kampung Baru when my late father, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, was Raja Muda of Selangor.
“The late father of Her Royal Highness (Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor) Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin was also born in Kampung Baru, where the Tengku Permaisuri’s family lived and grew up,” Sultan Sharafuddin added.
The ruler also reminisced about how Kampung Baru, which was then at the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s development, housed the Sultan Sulaiman Club, which became the venue for the Malay Congress of Malaya in 1946 that led to Umno’s formation.
Besides serving as a place of refuge for Malays during the fatal riots on May 13, 1969, the club was also used as a training ground for the Selangor football team, with the Sultan Sulaiman Club Heritage Building remaining the property of the state government.
Sultan Sharafuddin highlighted that the official residences of the Selangor menteri besar and the Selangor state secretary were also located in Kampung Baru at one point in time.
“More nostalgically, an understanding was once reached that Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru, which was officiated by the 6th sultan of Selangor, the late Sultan Hisamuddin Alam Shah, must be retained at its current site and cannot be relocated elsewhere,” he added.
Voices of support
In a statement later, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim welcomed the monarch’s statement on the historical background, future, and direction of Kampung Baru.
He added that Sultan Sharafuddin’s views are in line with the position of the Madani government, which he said “firmly emphasises the importance of valuing historical heritage while planning fair and balanced development.”
“The government remains steadfast that every decision must be centred on the well-being of the people and the preservation of community identity.
“As chairperson of the National Affordable Housing Council, I am committed to ensuring that development genuinely benefits the people without sacrificing the dignity, rights, and history that are matters of national interest,” Anwar said in a Facebook post.
Selangor PAS Youth has since expressed its full support of the royal decree, with its chief, Sukri Omar, asserting that ongoing development projects in Kampung Baru should adhere to certain standards.
Such standards, he said, should include a guarantee that original Malay ownership rights are not compromised while ensuring that development is balanced between economic progress and the preservation of historical heritage.
He also advocated for the transparent involvement of all stakeholders to avoid wronging the local population.
“We urge the federal government and developers to use (Sultan Sharafuddin’s) decree as a guide to formulate a development plan that is holistic, fair, and provides long-term benefits to the Malays in Kuala Lumpur,” Sukri added.
Developer’s track record important
In an interview on Buletin TV3’s Podcast Utama last night, Johari reportedly said the government must be more cautious in approving redevelopment projects to ensure that only truly capable developers are selected to undertake such ventures.
He added that the credibility and financial standing of developers are crucial factors that must be seriously considered, as they determine the smooth execution of a project.
He emphasised that the selection of developers must also take into account the company’s ability to complete the project, regardless of whether the units are successfully sold or not.
“That’s why I always remind people that before embarking on anything, we must ensure the developer and contractor are credible individuals with strong financial standing,” he was quoted as saying. - Mkini
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