Association in the dark over Kg Baru Development Corp bill

Published: Saturday December 18, 2010 MYT 7:13:00 PM
Association in the dark over Kg Baru Development Corp bill

KUALA LUMPUR: The Kampung Baru Development Association is upset at being left in the dark over the Kampung Baru Development Corporation Bill 2010 which was tabled at the Dewan Rakyat last Tuesday.

Its chairman, Dr Yusof Ismail said Saturday that several changes were proposed to the draft bill during a laboratory brainstorm in Malacca in August and any amendment made should be endorsed by the residents before it was tabled in parliament.

"Among the aspects touched were the corporation's jurisdiction as it will be vested with broad power, including seizing land.

"On the other hand, the Kampung Baru Malay Agriculture Settlement Administration Board, which made up the advisory council, will have no influence on decisions made by the corporation while the corporation board members are guaranteed protection from legal action.

"Such provisions will lead to negative repercussions," he told reporters here.

The explanation given by the ministry at a meeting with about 200 residents of Kampung Hujung Pasir and Kampung Periok last Tuesday was too general, he said, adding that the ministry should explain the bill in detail to Kampung Baru residents before the second reading in parliament.

(Kampung Baru is made up of seven villages, including Kampung Hujung Pasir and Kampung Periok).

Dr Yusof, who was former Economic Planning Unit director (industry), said the price of the land valued by Rahim & Co, which was appointed by the ministry, was rather low.

"Despite projecting that Kampung Baru land could double in value, Rahim & Co calculated the present value of residential land at RM350 per sq foot (psf).

"On the contrary, a piece of land in Kampung Baru sold by Tan Sri Aishah Ghani family 15 years ago fetched RM500 psf. As such, Kampung Baru land could fetch between RM700 and RM2,000 psf," he added. - Bernama