Putrajaya mulling 99-year leases in Kg Baru redevelopment, says report

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 30): The government is mulling leases of up to 99 years "to overcome the challenge posed by the redevelopment of Kampung Baru (pictured) on its reserve land status", Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad was reported as saying by Malaysiakini today.

"We are exploring several mechanisms to manage the Malay reserve land status of Kampung Baru.

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"One of the mechanisms mentioned by the cabinet was to issue long leases, for instance, 60-year or 99-year leases.

"The land will ultimately be returned to the original landowners," he said in a special meeting with the media here today.

It has been reported that the FT ministry aims to find a solution by the end of this year to maintain the status of Kampung Baru even as the authorities plan the areas' redevelopment.

Khalid also revealed that a survey showed that 88% of Kampung Baru residents wanted the region to be redeveloped, reported the news portal.

The redevelopment of the Malay enclave in the heart of Kuala Lumpur has failed to take off due to decades of numerous unresolved issues on onwership, land titles and price valuations.

The heritage village has been envisioned to be transformed into a modern “21st century Kampung Melayu”.