PUTRAJAYA, Sept 12 — The rental costs of temporary housing for Kampung Sungai Baru residents in Kuala Lumpur are being fully borne by the developer until the new housing project in the area is completed, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa.
She said the majority of residents have been relocated to Residensi Sungai Udang and the Batu Muda People’s Housing Project (PPR).
According to her, the measure is part of the developer’s commitment to safeguard the welfare of residents who have temporarily relocated to PPR units or rental homes under Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
“I was informed that those who have agreed to move will have their rental costs borne by the developer until they return to their new homes,” she said at a press conference here today.
Dr Zaliha said the redevelopment of Kampung Sungai Baru is among the long-standing issues of more than nine years that is now receiving serious attention from the Madani government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
She said the land acquisition process began in 2021 through notices issued under the Land Acquisition Act 1960, before the Madani government took office, and the administration is now working to resolve the matter in a more comprehensive and fair manner for residents.
“If we put ourselves in the shoes of those who have been waiting nearly nine years, we would certainly feel the impact. That is why we take this responsibility seriously,” she said, adding that the government is committed to ensuring the issue is settled in accordance with the law.
Dr Zaliha also explained that more than 70 per cent of residents have agreed to the redevelopment plan, while about 28 per cent remain opposed, mainly due to dissatisfaction with compensation.
“The residents themselves have said they do not reject development, but some dispute the compensation. For those still in disagreement, the legal process remains open for them to pursue,” she said.
She said claims that the redevelopment would displace the Malay community from urban areas are unfounded, saying the project will instead return them to their original location with more comfortable homes.
“This is not about gentrification as they will return to their original neighbourhood once the houses are completed. In fact, it was requested that the design of the new homes retain the Malay identity through local architectural elements,” Dr Zaliha said, adding that residents’ views were also considered, including the provision of lifts large enough to accommodate a coffin for the ease of funeral arrangements.
