Kampung Baru land issue solved by January, says FT minister

 

Shahidan Kassim said he had made a proposal to ensure that flat-owners are not left at the mercy of the developer. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Federal Territories minister Shahidan Kassim has given the assurance that land acquisition in Sungai Baru, Kampung Baru, will be done fairly by giving priority to the interests of the landowners and PKNS flat owners.

Shahidan said he personally would negotiate with the owners and developer involved to ensure a fair agreement could be reached.

“Everyone will be given fair treatment. If not, I will reduce the problem to a minimum … I think by January it will be solved,” he said at the Special Chamber of the Dewan Rakyat today in response to a motion by Khalid Abd Samad (PH-Shah Alam).

Shahidan said he had proposed that the developer pay the property value in advance to the owners and allow them to buy replacement units upon the project’s completion, to ensure that flat owners would not be victims of an abandoned housing project.

Developers should not take the property of landowners and charge it to the bank, leaving the (owners) as victims (of abandoned housing projects), he said.

“These are the legal loopholes we have to look at. We want to ensure that the developer has the financial strength and does not use the land to earn money. Many developers can now (pay) in advance,” he said.

Khalid had questioned the government’s action in using the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act 1960 to acquire land in the area for redevelopment by private developers.

Three other MPs also took part in the debate: Shahruddin Md Salleh (Pejuang-Sri Gading), Fahmi Fadzil (PH-Lembah Pantai) and Teresa Kok (PH-Seputeh). - FMT