FT Ministry to review Kampung Baru plans

PETALING JAYA (July 28): The Federal Territories (FT) Ministry will review the Kampung Baru Detailed Development Master Plan (PITPKB) as part of ongoing efforts to redevelop the 118-year-old village in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, reported Bernama.

According to FT Minister Khalid Abdul Samad, the development of the village is necessary and he will discuss the matter with Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to come up with an alternative approach that will not cost the government a lot.

“I will discuss this matter with the Prime Minister, perhaps he has his own vision of Kampung Baru’s development, because this needs a clear plan.

“If Kampung Baru is not developed properly, it could cause congestion,” he told reporters after visiting the Kampung Baru Development Corp yesterday.

He and FT Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Adnan Md Ikshan spent an hour yesterday at the question-and-answer session that involved 100 Kampung Baru folks.

He said the ministry will also consider plans to keep the Malay elements in Kampung Baru to protect its identity and history and gave his assurance any decision made would benefit the families of the village’s original residents, without ignoring their rights.

“At present, efforts are being made to resolve the issue of land possession and to get the agreement of the landowners, this takes time and compromise from all parties.

“We will try to get the agreement as soon as possible and the developer has to make an offer which is on par with today’s market (price). Hopefully, it is a solution which satisfies all parties and I will make sure that the owners or families are not cheated,” he said.