02/12/2025

TUESDAY | DEC 2, 2025

5

Kg Sg Baru redevelopment begins after years of delay

Call to probe causes of recurring floods

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: The Consumers Association of Penang has called on the government to establish a national committee of experts, including civil society representatives, to investigate the root causes of Malaysia’s recurring floods and recommend effective solutions. Its president Mohideen Abdul Kader cited the Special Report on the Impact of Floods in Malaysia 2024 by the Statistics Department, which estimated total flood-related losses last year at RM933.4 million. Losses in the agricultural sector alone rose to RM185.2 million, up from RM120.6 million in 2023. The association stressed that floods, increasingly affecting states including Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu and Selangor, should not be attributed solely to heavy rainfall. “Rainfall is a common annual phenomenon. The question is, how do we manage it?” said Mohideen, highlighting rapid urban development without long-term planning as a major contributor. “The expansion of impermeable surfaces, narrow drains and the removal of natural green areas, including hills, floodplains and trees, have worsened flooding. “Deforestation and hill development leads to soil erosion and landslides, increasing sediment in rivers and reducing their capacity to channel rainwater,” it added. Irresponsible garbage disposal further clogs drains, contributing to waterlogging. “This will not be the last flood disaster. Many residents are worried about the impact of the next heavy rain on their homes and communities.” The association called for stricter development controls, including environmental, drainage, transport and social impact assessments for every project. “Measures such as slope protection, better monitoring of development, urban greening and riverbank protection should be prioritised to reduce flood risks. “While we cannot stop the rain, we could prevent or mitigate flood damage if we address the root causes.” As of yesterday, 14,040 flood evacuees from 4,518 families remain in temporary relief centres across eight states. The Social Welfare Department’s InfoBencana portal reports that 171 centres have been activated in the affected areas.

o Authorities urged to maintain open communication and respond to residents’ needs consistently

the school, although its members, who are still enrolled, are barred from forming factions. She agreed that the group had used obscene language towards other students but said she was unsure whether the matter required a police report. A visibly frustrated Ram Singh replied that he would lodge a report himself to prevent “another death” at the school. He later filed the report at the Luyang police station and urged authorities to act against the alleged group and the school. Zara, 13, died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 17, a day after she was found unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory. The inquest continues. – Bernama cannot afford more delays,” said a third resident. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the project would provide residents with modern, spacious and comfortable homes while recognising the community’s patience throughout the drawn-out process. Zaliha announced several key upgrades, including three-bedroom, three-bathroom homes ranging between 900 and 1,200 square feet, free maintenance for the first year, followed by a 70% discount from the second to the 10th year, and home fittings such as air-conditioning units and kitchen hoods valued at RM2 million. A new RM15 million road connecting the area to the Ampang–Kuala Lumpur Elevated Expressway would also be built, fully funded by the developer. “I will personally monitor the project’s progress together with relevant agencies and residents to ensure it is completed within the stipulated timeline,” said Zaliha. Plans for redevelopment began in 2016, with negotiations stretching until 2020. The project faced strong resistance from a minority group disputing compensation rates and questioning the fairness of the land acquisition process, resulting in legal challenges and prolonged delays. Despite the hurdles, residents expressed hope that this marks a turning point and their decade of waiting would finally lead to a better future in the place they have always called home.

Eddy Bukhari echoed the sentiment, stressing that the community wants the project to move forward without further disruption. “We hope the development proceeds smoothly and as quickly as possible. Our worry is that certain external parties, who may not understand the real situation, are trying to interfere.” He noted that the developer has acted responsibly throughout negotiations. “For nine years, the developer has consistently paid monthly rentals to residents. With their reputation and experience, we are confident.” He urged authorities to maintain open communication and respond to residents’ needs consistently. “We want professionalism and continued support so that the majority of residents, who have waited far too long, could finally enjoy a more comfortable life,” he said, calling on Malaysians to view the redevelopment positively. Some residents expressed relief and optimism. “We are happy to finally see progress, but we just want fair compensation and comfortable homes. This is our lifelong community,” said a long-time resident. Others voiced concern about cultural displacement. “Kampung Sungai Baru is more than buildings. We hope the heritage and community identity are not lost,” said another resident. For some, trust would only come with visible results. “We have been promised many times before. Hopefully, everything is transparent and on schedule. We Zulkarnain B.

Persatuan Kebajikan Pemilik Hartanah Kampung Sungai Baru chairperson Sanita Yunus said residents are eager to return to their neighbourhood once the redevelopment is completed. “Our biggest hope is to come back to Kampung Sungai Baru and receive the promised condominium units within the agreed timeframe.” She added that despite years of hurdles and disputes, residents who backed the redevelopment have remained steadfast. “The developer has never given up through many challenges over the past nine years. Their commitment gives us confidence that this project will finally become a reality.” Association committee member

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: After nearly a decade of uncertainty, the long-delayed Kampung Sungai Baru redevelopment has begun, offering cautious relief and renewed hope to residents.

Zaliha said the project would provide residents with modern, spacious and comfortable homes while recognising the community’s patience throughout the drawn-out process. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

Zara reported sexual harassment, court told KOTA KINABALU: The Coroner’s Court was told yesterday that Zara Qairina Mahathir had lodged a sexual harassment complaint barely a month after enrolling at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustapha. “After recording written statements and interviewing all the students involved, the disciplinary unit concluded that the incident stemmed from a misunderstanding, and the student had no inappropriate intention, acting only out of playfulness. believes Zara’s complaint. She said the disciplinary unit required corroboration because Zara had allegedly been asleep during the incident. “We needed evidence from her roommates, namely Student A and the Form Two student. At that time, Student A was folding clothes.”

The school’s discipline assistant head Nurul Syahadah Ibrahim, 38, testified that the disciplinary unit received the report on March 14, alleging that the incident occurred while Zara was asleep in her dormitory. “Yes, Zara lodged a complaint of alleged sexual harassment by a Form Two student while she was sleeping. She claimed that the student had sniffed her private parts. However, our investigation found that the student had only sniffed the blanket she was using before taking it to be washed.

“I personally asked the student to demonstrate how she sniffed the blanket,” she said, testifying as the 54th witness. She gave the evidence when questioned by lawyer Datuk Ram Singh, who represents one of the five teenagers accused in the Zara bullying case. Asked whether she believes the Form Two student’s demonstration, Nurul Syahadah said: “Yes.” Ram Singh then asked if she

On a separate claim that a senior known as “Kak M” had once told Zara, “If I touch you, you will bleed”, the witness said the student was not a gangster. She said the remark came after Zara and Student A had allegedly body-shamed Kak M’s younger sister by calling her “chipsmore” due to a mole on her mouth. Nurul Syahadah also confirmed that the “Circle 19” group still exists at

MACC denies claims of unlawful seizure PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian

Tei’s arrest is tied to an ongoing probe into allegations that he offered a bribe to Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, the former senior political secretary to the prime minister, reportedly to secure the return of funds given to several Sabah assemblymen. – Bernama

added, addressing a news portal report alleging unlawful action. A lawyer representing Tei’s wife has claimed that the seizure was unlawful, giving MACC until tomorrow to provide a full inventory of the property taken in connection with Tei’s arrest at his Puchong residence.

“MACC categorically refutes the baseless allegation that its officers seized Tei’s belongings without following proper procedure. The commission consistently carries out its duties in accordance with the provisions of the law and regulations established within its jurisdiction,” it

Division said the items, comprising phones, an iPad and a digital video recorder, were surrendered by Tei to MACC officers. A copy of the List of Seized Moveable Property, issued under Section 33 of the MACC Act 2009, was handed to him on Friday.

Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has firmly denied claims of unlawful seizure, confirming that businessman Albert Tei personally signed the inventory of items confiscated during his arrest on Friday. Its Strategic Communications