No one is safe: Harapan Youth sounds alarm over Kg Baru eviction

 

Pakatan Harapan Youth hopes that the case of Kampung Sungai Baru villagers in Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur being evicted from their legally owned houses will be a lesson to everyone in the country that they are not safe.

In a press conference this morning, the youth division’s deputy chief Hasbie Muda said the case should be a national issue because it would be the first time those with valid land titles were forced to vacate using the Land Acquisition Act.

“We want this Kampung Sungai Baru issue to be taken as a national issue by all youths in the country.

“This involves acquisition of land from their legitimate owners who have valid land titles. But it is not for any national strategic interests but for commercial benefits of land developers.

“Residents who have lived there for 10s of years, now their land is being taken away for the benefit of the developer. We see this as a violation of their rights,” said Hasbie, who is also the Amanah Youth chief.

The politician added that youths nationwide should see the issue as a serious matter, because if it can happen at Kampung Baru, the same may happen to the land their parents own in other parts of the country.

Pakatan Harapan Youth deputy chief Hasbie Muda

According to previous news reports, the process of land acquisition in Kampung Sungai Baru started since 2016 involving 67 units of terrace houses and 14 blocks of apartments called Pangsapuri Sungai Baru.

In July last year, residents there were issued with a notice under Section 8 of the Land Acquisition Act ordering them to vacate their premises and that they would be given a sum of cash as compensation.

However, the residents, especially those who own terrace houses, were reportedly not satisfied with the amount of compensation at RM400 per square feet evaluated by the Kuala Lumpur land authority.

Meanwhile, a Kampung Sungai Baru residents representative who wanted to be known as Roziah Yusof told the press conference she would only receive RM200,000 to vacate her existing house, and the amount would not be enough for her to find a new place to live.

“I am unemployed, I am sick, and always have to go to hospital, I have lived here for over 55 years. I inherited the land from my parents.

“But now I am ordered to vacate it by this December. They are giving me a mere RM200,000 as compensation. Tell me, where can I find a house with RM200,000 now,” said the woman in between sobs. - Mkini