Kuala lumpur: Kampung Sungai Baru has never been gazetted as part of the Malay Agricultural Settlement (MAS) land or designated as Malay reserve land, according to a review by the Federal Territories Land and Mines Office (PTGWPKL). Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, clarified this during a briefing session in the Dewan Rakyat, addressing ongoing confusion regarding the status of Kampung Sungai Baru in relation to the MAS land.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Zaliha explained that Kampung Sungai Baru was established in 1967 following a river straightening project for the Klang River, aimed at reducing frequent flooding in the area. This project, undertaken by the Selangor state government, resulted in approximately 16 acres of new land, which became known as Kampung Sungai Baru. However, this land was never part of the 219.91-acre MAS land. The land was later developed by the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) to increase Malay settlements around Kampong Bharu, but there is no official record categorizing it as MAS land.
On the proposal to gazette Kampung Sungai Baru as part of MAS or Malay reserve land, Dr Zaliha stated that any proposal must receive full consent from all landowners, including developers. She emphasized that such a move cannot be initiated by the government, as part of the land is already owned by developers. Dr Zaliha clarified that the entire Kampung Sungai Baru land has been granted ownership titles and is currently under the possession of developers and individual unit owners, and any move to gazette the land must be initiated by them with unanimous consent.
Dr Zaliha also addressed public perception regarding the government’s role in appointing the developer for the Kampung Sungai Baru redevelopment project, stressing that the government was not involved in the selection process. The residents who agreed to the redevelopment project formed the Kampung Sungai Baru Property Owners’ Welfare Association in 2010, representing 328 property units. This association signed a memorandum of understanding with developer Ritzy Gloss Sdn Bhd, later taken over by Suez Capital Sdn Bhd in 2016.
Addressing allegations that the developer was from Singapore, Dr Zaliha dismissed these claims as baseless, confirming after a check with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) that the company is fully Malaysian-owned. The association has been led by four chairpersons since its formation, all terrace house owners in the area.
Tensions in Kampung Sungai Baru have been increasing in recent months. On September 11, local media reported a standoff after several residents refused to vacate their homes amid eviction proceedings related to the land acquisition process. The redevelopment project involves 67 terrace homes and 14 apartment blocks known as Pangsapuri Sungai Baru, with land acquisition efforts first initiated in 2016.