Zaliha said Kampung Baru’s development would be a catalyst for the overall development of the city centre, Berita Harian reported.

“We will ensure that future developments in Kampung Baru will consider its history and land status to ensure it remains a Malay area.

“As I have said before, we will not sideline the views of the residents here, who want the Malay elements (of Kampung Baru) to be preserved. Kampung Baru is full of historical value and is famous for its (Malay) heritage.

“As the minister in charge of leading the development of the federal territories, I will ensure that future developments here will not sideline the Malays,” she was quoted as saying.

Separately, Titiwangsa MP Johari Ghani his commitment to ensuring that Kampung Baru would remain in the hands of the Malays.

He cited Sultan Alauddin Sulaiman Shah Raja Muda Musa, the fifth Sultan of Selangor’s decree that Kampung Baru will remain a Malay enclave “for as long as there is a moon and stars in the sky”.

“Developments are encouraged here, but on condition that developers take into account the history of this area,” he said.

“We don’t want a repeat of Kampung Sungai Baru, where developers do not understand and treat it as if they were developing a squatter area.”