THE land acquisition for redevelopment of Kampung Baru is progressing at 80%, Kampung Baru Development Corp (KBDC) chairman Datuk Affendi Zahari said.

Affendi, however, said this time around, KBDC is taking a measured approach over the matter.

Still, the progress allows the developer to come in for the next phase for construction of the Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (AKLEH) to Kampung Sungai Baru by the first half (1H) of this year.

Affendi noted that the project is not as complicated as Kampung Baru, a leasehold land with multiple ownership status by multiple generations, which has been hindering its total redevelopment for several decades.

Rahim & Co research director Sulaiman Saheh said the outlook on Kampung Baru redevelopment process will still linger on land acquisition issues which could not be solved by the connectivity provided by the Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE) 2A project.

“Land is the core issue,” he told The Malaysian Reserve (TMR).

But Sulaiman said for the DUKE 2A project, an access and connectivity component is also important and could be an enabler in redeveloping Kampung Baru.

“It will help and improve the prospect but the key element is still on land matters. That is the biggest and main challenge,” he added.

On land matters, Affendi agreed he would face the same challenges he used to face when he became the chairman in 2015.

He, however, maintained Kampung Baru should be given time for redevelopment, with KBDC would do whatever it takes in facilitating the project.

“People cynically said when can it be done or completed. But didn’t they know even the Kuala Lumpur City Centre, which has been planned for over 25 years with open title land, there are still four empty sites.

“So, in the case of Kampung Baru, when especially you have the issue of land acquisition and ownership restrictions, we will try to overcome this slowly and surely. I think that is a better way to proceed,” said Affendi.

Former Federal Territory Minister Khalid Abdul Samad said the government needed between RM6 billion and RM10 billion to buy more than 89ha of Kampung Baru land, based on the valuation of RM1,000 per sq ft. Of the total purchase price, 15% would be in the form of shares.

However, Khalid’s successor, Tan Sri Annuar Musa, said in October that there was no proper plan to raise such funds, as only 61% of more than 5,000 plot owners have agreed to sell their properties.

TMR reported on Wednesday that KBDC aims to revive stalled projects under the Pakatan Harapan government such as DUKE 2A, involving some five packages connecting Kampung Baru with major roadways, estimated to be about RM250 million that will be footed by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall.

“There are five packages of these roadways which were approved in 2016, but were not pursued by the previous government.

“We are looking to embark on the AKLEH access to Kampung Sungai Baru by the first half of this year, as the area is the next catalyst for Kampung Baru development,” Affendi added.