The first memorandum by the Jinjang Selatan residents detailed long-standing issues, including the failure to provide promised replacement homes for residents with temporary occupancy licences (TOL).
Their representative, Ameer Khan, also complained of inadequate compensation offers of just RM5,000 for shop owners and the 15-year delay in completing the “Rumah Keluarga Kedua” housing project meant for them.
The residents had been staying in the area since 1969 under a TOL issued by DBKL which expired in 1996. Attempts to renew the TOL in 2004 were unsuccessful, although the residents continued to pay assessment rates until 2006.
In July, The Star reported that the settlers, who had been served with demolition notices by DBKL, were demanding higher compensation from the developer before they would move out.
DBKL served them demolition notices in May, in line with Section 70 (13)(c) of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 (Act 133) which states that no person can erect a building without the prior written consent of the local authority.
The settlers have been seeking better terms since a mixed development project – a joint venture between DBKL and a private developer – was announced about a decade ago to relocate them.
The courts recently ordered residents, traders and factory operators to vacate the area, but the evictions were delayed by discussions with several government agencies.
In their memorandum meanwhile, the Kampung Sungai Baru residents claimed there was “serious breach of authority” two days ago after a contractor installed hoardings there without presenting any official letter of approval.
They claimed that the contractor only returned with a signed approval letter from DBKL yesterday.
Both groups of residents urged DBKL as well as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to launch formal investigations into their complaints.
A DBKL officer received their memorandums on behalf of Kuala Lumpur mayor Maimunah Sharif.
The redevelopment of Kampung Sungai Baru was initiated in 2016 but stalled due to legal issues, compensation disputes and disagreements among residents.
In 2021, the then government invoked the Land Acquisition Act 1960 to seize the land before handing it over to the developer. An eviction order issued earlier this month led to a commotion between authorities and residents.
It was the developer’s second attempt to remove the 14 remaining homeowners from the area.
Titiwangsa MP Johari Ghani subsequently urged the developer leading the area’s redevelopment to immediately complete the two housing blocks promised to the residents eight years ago.