Nong Chik reiterates government stand on Kampung Baru

KUALA LUMPUR: Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin reiterated that Kampung Baru will only be developed if the landowners and heirs agree to it.

He said although Kampung Baru Development Corporation Bill 2011 was passed by Dewan Rakyat last week, the approval of landowners and heirs is more important to the government.

"If the landowners and heirs don't agree to it, we will stop the project. We will only develop areas that get their approval.

"This is unlike claims by the opposition that we seize land from the owners and heirs who get a small profit while the developer makes a big profit," he said at a mini-kindergarten convocation in Pantai Dalam here on Wednesday, Oct 12.

Nong Chik said landowners and heirs who want to develop the area by themself would be given incentives and other facilities by the ministry.

State land covering 40 hectares within Kampung Baru has been developed with infrastructure worth RM8.8 million as part of overall development that is done in phases.

On the opposition threat to lodge a protest with Yang di-Pertuan Agong over passing of Kampung Baru Bill, he said they could do whatever they want.

He said more opposition MPs would have been in the house during debate on the bill if they were really against it.

"Only 28 of 77 opposition MPs were in the house to oppose the bill. Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was also not there," he added.

Kampung Baru covers a 90.2 hectares area comprising seven villages and situated right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama