Work on redevelopment of Kg Baru starts

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INITIAL development work is already in progress despite the government not receiving a complete referendum on the Kampung Baru Development project.

Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin, who chaired meeting with the village heads, ministry officials and representatives from government-linked companies and non-governmental organisations, said work had started because the government was able to acquire the 30,000sq ft of land required to start the project.

He said the Malay Agricultural Society (MAS) and the NGOs would negotiate for the government and the land owners of Kampung Baru and were confident of a win-win situation for all parties concerned.

Go ahead: Nong Chik (second right) having a discussion with village heads and ministry officials on the development of Kg Baru.

Kampung Pindah in Kampung Baru, is the only village that has been acquired fully along with parcels from other villages for the initial development work.

The other affected villages — Kampung Periuk, Kampung Paya, Kampung Atas A, Kampung Atas B, Kampung Masjid and Kampung Hujung Pasir are still in negotiations with the government following the withdrawal of an earlier bill tabled last year.

The Bill was withdrawn in parliament on Oct 5 and in its place a new one was tabled.

“It will be endorsed by the new Yang di-Pertuan Agong in December after allowing amendments to be made following feedback from discussions with stakeholders, land owners, beneficiaries and non-governmental organisations,’’ said Raja Nong Chik.

He said while waiting for the new process to take place, the Federal government would appoint an “interim team” next month which would act as a corporation that would help facilitate the future development of the seven villages consisting of 80ha with an initial grant of RM15mil.

“The corporation will act as an independent body and will be solely responsible in disseminating details of the redevelopment project to the land owners,’’ he added.

Nong Chik said since the beginning of the year, a total of RM8.8mil had been spent on improving the infrastructure in Kampung Baru.