13/09/2025

SATURDAY | SEPT 13, 2025

/thesuntelegram FOLLOW / Malaysian Paper

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Displaced residents facing restitution, relocation issues

Group claims ‘outsiders’ incited eviction commotion KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur Social Welfare Organisation claims that the commotion in Kampung Sungai Baru on Thursday was sparked by external parties attempting to sway residents into rejecting the redevelopment project. Its chairman Hussen Zulkarai said the actions of the outsiders, who allegedly provoked tensions at the scene, were unwarranted, especially since a majority of the residents agreed to relocate and accept the compensation offered. “Most of the residents understand the benefits of this redevelopment and have agreed to vacate their homes. Some have even moved out and received fair compensation, including temporary rental allowances covered by the developer. “The presence of these outsiders with the intent to incite resistance has only led to misunderstandings and unnecessary tension,” he told a press conference yesterday. He said all documentation related to the project had been approved by the land office and relevant government agencies, proving that the development was going through legitimate and legal channels. He said the presence of police and Federal Reserve Unit personnel at the site was solely to maintain public order and not to intimidate or provoke residents. “Cooperation from all parties is crucial to ensure the smooth implementation of the project. This issue should not be politicised because the residents stand to benefit the most.” The project is expected to offer residents access to more modern and comfortable housing, with compensation for some property owners reportedly going into the millions of ringgit. The commotion took a violent turn when Dang Wangi police chief ACP Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman sustained a head injury, believed to have been caused by a rock thrown by an unidentified individual during the eviction and demolition operation involving 37 terrace houses in the area. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail on Thursday said police would investigate whether certain parties exploited the Kampung Sungai Baru issue, which led to the stone-throwing incident. He said a thorough investigation would be conducted to determine whether political opportunists manipulated the situation to create tension and unease among the public. “At first glance, they appear to defend the people. But instead, they incite violence, spread false information, make accusations and fuel hatred.” He said the freedom to assemble must not be abused through unlawful acts such as injuring public servants. “I have also spoken to the IGP (Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail) to take swift action to track down the perpetrators and we will deal with them according to the law.” – Bernama

o Dispute arose from govt decision to use compulsory acquisition powers: Lawyer

acquisition. The current government has a responsibility to resolve the injustice created by the previous one.” Committee adviser Muzzafar Razman said the use of heavy machinery and hundreds of personnel to evict only a handful of families made the situation feel like a state of emergency. “We regret the injuries to Dang Wangi police chief ACP Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman and members of the public, but residents were not responsible. We were inside our homes.” On Thursday, Sulizmie was injured during a scuffle with individuals claiming to be residents, as enforcement officers carried out a court-ordered demolition. Committee chairperson Zainab Alias also criticised the process, describing it as “uncivilised”. She said it began during the Covid-19 lockdown, when residents could not leave their homes or file objections as government offices were closed. She added that notices were left at unrelated locations, including a surau and vacant houses. She was responding to a question about why some residents who accepted compensation were reluctant to vacate their homes. The Kampung Sungai Baru land acquisition covers both terraced houses and flats in Pangsapuri Sungai Baru. The redevelopment project, first proposed in 2016, received formal approval in July 2024, when Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa told the Dewan Rakyat that the development order had been granted.

preserved for our children and grandchildren. Money is not the issue. Justice is.” For tenants, the struggle has been even greater. Ruslina, 32, who has rented a unit in the area for more than a decade, said she was given little time to move. “I rent here, so I do not get any compensation. I have two children, aged four and eight, and now we have to find another place at RM2,000 a month plus deposits. It is very difficult. “Yesterday, they gave me just one hour to clear my belongings. At 9.45am, they told us to leave and by 11am, everything had to be empty. How is that possible?” She added that electricity and water had been cut before the demolition crew moved in. At a press conference at the location, lawyer N. Surendran, representing the Kampung Sungai Baru Residents’ Rights Committee, said the dispute arose from the government’s decision to use compulsory acquisition powers. “The problem would not exist if residents had been allowed to negotiate directly with the developer. Instead, the government intervened and used the Land Acquisition Act to take the land and force residents to accept compensation. “Residents never asked for compensation. They wanted to keep their land, their homes and their heritage. Compensation was forced on them. Once Section 8 is invoked, values plunge far below market rate. Everyone in the legal profession knows this.” He added that residents should not be blamed for refusing to move. “This is not their fault. Their land and homes were taken using the powers of compulsory

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: As a redevelopment project moves forward at Kampung Sungai Baru, residents say they are struggling with compensation and relocation issues, while authorities insist the project follows legal provisions under the Land Acquisition Act 1960. Baharuddin, 62, who has lived in the area since the 1970s, said residents were treated unfairly when their land was seized under the Act. “The government used Section 4 and Section 8 of the Act to seize our land.” He said compensation varied widely, with some residents receiving between RM69,000 and RM85,000, while those with larger plots were offered more than RM2 million. “Most (had to accept compensation) far below market value. It depends on land size, but the majority here were given very low amounts.” He added that some residents were offered about RM1,000 to RM2,500 per square foot, while others received lump sums. “We are willing to accept redevelopment, but only if the compensation is just, transparent and equal to what others are getting. Otherwise, we cannot accept it. This is ancestral land. We want it

Muzzafar said the use of heavy machinery and hundreds of personnel made the situation feel like a state of emergency. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

Silence from PAS over injured police officer draws flak KUALA LUMPUR: Political secretary to the finance minister Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim has questioned the silence of PAS leaders over the Kampung Sungai Baru commotion that resulted in a police officer being injured on Thursday. against security personnel in a situation (in which) none of the residents were harmed by the authorities is something that deserves condemnation and criticism from all parties who value peace.”

the police officer involved. He added that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim previously stated that the government is open to constructive criticism and reprimand on any issues. “This healthy democratic culture continues to flourish under the Madani government and the authorities provide space and facilities for objections or criticisms to be made in a civilised manner, and not contrary to the principles of the Constitution and the law.” – Bernama

Dang Wangi police chief ACP Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman sustained a head injury after being struck by a stone thrown by an unidentified individual during the eviction operation. Muhammad Kamil urged that an investigation be conducted transparently to provide justice for

He said Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, who issued a statement regarding the eviction of 37 terrace houses in the area, never raised the incident or condemned the individuals involved in causing injury to the officer. “Justifying violence or physical aggression