KUALA LUMPUR: Residents of Kampung Sungai Baru demand immediate action to be taken on the area’s redevelopment project.

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and shared with the media, Kampung Sungai Baru representative Mohd Adam Abdul Aziz said the project needed to be expedited based on the poor and unsafe condition of their homes.

He said most residents were disappointed with Anwar’s recent instruction to postpone the project until further notice.

“The recent statement from the Prime Minister’s Office is very disappointing and has a severe emotional impact on us as we have been waiting for the redevelopment project for a long time.

“We sincerely hope that this project can change our lives while leaving a comfortable and valuable residence for our children,” he said in the letter.

He said that since 2016, the majority of the owners had signed a joint venture agreement with the developer and agreed to the redevelopment project for the benefit of future generations.

“However, after five years, there is a handful of owners who disagreed with this redevelopment project, which made the developer reapplied to use the Land Acquisition Act 1960 to ensure that the project can continue,” he said.

In the same letter, Adam also voiced his disappointment and even described the media as favouring the small group that objected to development in the area.

He also expressed his wish to hold a face-to-face meeting with the prime minister to explain the issue in detail which would enable all parties to find solutions to the issues.

The Kampung Sungai Baru land acquisition started in 2016, and involves 67 houses and 14 apartment blocks known as Sungai Baru Apartments.

Some residents do not agree with the compensation rate of RM400 per square foot set by the Federal Territories Director of Lands and Mines Office.

Sources: New Straits Times