The developer of the Sungai Baru redevelopment project in Kampung Baru continues to meet owners of 37 terrace house lots who have voiced their disagreement.

KUALA LUMPUR: Unrelated parties should stop interfering and politicising the issue of land acquisition for the Sungai Baru redevelopment project in Kampung Baru here, says federal territories minister Shahidan Kassim.

He said the matter was still in the process of negotiation.

He urged a group of residents against the land acquisition process not to be influenced by those who just want to take advantage of the issue by pretending to be ”heroes”.

“I may be challenged by other parties but go ahead, challenge me. I have no problem as I am still on the side of the landowners.

“There is no need to look for others (to help) because we in the government will make the decision.

“But if other people want to be heroes, that is up to them,” he told reporters.

The Kampong Bharu Development Corporation said owners of a total of 291 lots (27 terrace lots and 264 flat units), representing 88.72% of all residents, had agreed to the redevelopment project.

At the same time, the developer continues to meet and hold engagement sessions with the owners of 37 terrace house lots who have voiced their disagreement.

When asked about fears of a rift in Umno following the removal of Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman from the Umno Supreme Council, Shahidan hoped party leaders would pay more attention to the unification of the ummah.

Shahidan, a former Perlis Umno chief, said the dismissal should not have happened.

“I believe that Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also wants to leave a legacy with a united ummah,” he said.

He said if the party was divided, it might lose at the next general election. “We need to win,” he said.

Sources: Free Malaysia Today