Authorities urged to maintain open communication and respond to residents’ needs consistently
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.
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 Eddy Zulkarnain B. 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 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.
