Report: PM Anwar pauses relocation of Kampung Sungai Baru residents pending fresh negotiations

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 14 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has ordered the redevelopment project of Kampung Sungai Baru in the national capital city to be postponed pending renegotiations.

Anwar’s political secretary Azman Abidin confirmed the suspension of the residents’ relocation to news portal Malaysiakini, adding that no specific date has been given.

“The prime minister ordered that this project be postponed for a month or until a date that will be notified later.

“This is to enable a renegotiation with residents and interested parties to be carried out and to find a solution to issues raised by the residents,” he was quoted as saying in a report published today.

Past news reports indicated that the remaining group of Kampung Sungai Baru residents who opposed the proposed redevelopment project in the Malay enclave had until January 19 to vacate their homes.

Azman told Malaysiakini that Anwar made the decision after the villagers asked him to intercede following an eviction order that gave them only 30 days to move out.

According to the news report, the Kuala Lumpur Department of Lands and Minerals (PTGWPKL) director-general issued an eviction notice on December 19, 2022 to Kampung Sungai Baru landowners who held a 99-year lease, even though many of them still have 57 years remaining.

The Kampung Sungai Baru land acquisition issue involves 67 terrace house units and 14 apartment blocks known as Sungai Baru Apartments, that were part of the land acquisition process that started in 2016.

Residents, especially owners of terrace houses, have disputed the compensation rate of RM400 per square foot set by PTGWPKL.

A total of 37 terrace house owners had disagreed with the fixed RM400 square feet compensation rate, while the remainder 27 residents agreed.

There are also residents who have requested for an extension of time to move.

Two weeks ago, Titiwangsa MP Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, who has been looking into the Kampung Sungai Baru issue, urged those who needed more time to move out to submit a letter to the lands and mines department and the developers to appeal for a grace period.

Describing the Kampung Sungai Baru situation as complex, the Umno politician assured that he would support every application made by the remaining residents.

Previously, it was reported that the village's action committee were served with a Form K notice by the PTGWPKL director-general, giving them 30 days to vacate their homes.