Malaysia Chronicle
Due to tremendous opposition mounted by the Pakatan Rakyat and the residents themselves, the Najib administration has withdrawn thecontroversial Kampung Baru Development Bill, which was due for second reading in Parliament.
In fact, one of the first things done this morning by the BN was to withdraw the Bill when Parliament commenced its last session for the year. Raja Nong Chik, the Minister of Federal Territories is expected to issue a statement later in the day.
“It looks like general election maneuvering again. BN knows this is very unpopular with the Kg Baru folk, so they are withdrawing it for now but after the GE, I am sure Najib and Umno cronies won’t be able to resist the lucrative benefits from developing the area in the way that they want even though it may be against the wishes of the residents,” Batu MP Tian Chua toldMalaysia Chronicle.
A poignant moment in remembrance of Dr Lo’ Lo’
The Pakatan team has fought hard for the Kg Baru residents after Najib tried to shove down their throats a murky and skewed deal to redevelop the area. They are spearheading the demand for the Bill to be withdrawn and renegotiated in the Parliament soon.
Among the most active Pakatan MPs have been Lembah Pantai’s Nurul Izzah, Seri Setia assemblyman Nik Nazmi, Tian and the PAS team led by vice presidents Salahuddin Ayub and Mahfuz Omar.
Especially vocal had been Dr Lo’Lo Ghazali, the PAS MP for Titiwangsa, who succumbed to lung cancer in July at age 54. This was among her pet projects and while the Bill may eventuall be hammered through by Najib if the BN wins the upcoming general election, it is nevertheless a poignant moment for her Pakatan colleagues.
“It is a victory for the people and it is also a victory for the late Dr Lo’ Lo’ in particular. The community knows her good deeds and will long appreciate her efforts to help them strike a fairer deal,” said PKR vice president Nurul Izzah.
Protest planned
PKR and DAP, PAS were in the process of organising a residents meeting and planned a peaceful protest to deliver an ultimatum to the government particularly Raja Nong Chik, the minister in charge of the project.
"There's a need to defend Kampung Baru because it is the only remaining area belonging to the Malays in Kuala Lumpur. Should the Bill be passed in the Parliament, Kampung Baru will remain only as a name in the history books for the young generations to come,” said Suhaimi Abdul Aziz, head of PAS Youth Titiwangsa.
"Why is the government is rushing to tabled the Bill when majority of the residents do not understand it, and many more rejected it? Is there any hidden agenda behind the reading of the Bill from the public?" Salahuddin had questioned.
Suspicion over new administrator
Kampung Baru residents are unhappy about several items in the Bill including the rejection long-time administrator MAS or the Malay Agricultural Settlement, which has looked after the area for 111 years.
Pakatan leaders said they too were puzzled over why the government wants to create a new body Kampung Baru Development, when MAS could be trained and beefed to lover the revamped area.
If MAS is problematic, it should just be improved and strengthen, not replacing it with different orgaisation, said PAS’ Suhaimi.
Referendum results not even out
The Kampung Baru folks are also worried over a clause that gives the new administraive body immunity from being summoned to any court. This implies that Kampung Baru Development would be immune to any legal challenge, while the Minister in charge is given sole power to make decisions on any deal or arbitrage.
"Logically, anyone who reads the Bill will find that it is unfair and one-sided," said Suhaimi.
Pakatan leaders have also accused the government of trying to bulldoze the Bill through when the results of a referendum on the development of the area is not made public yet. So far, only an estimated 30 per cent of residents have returned the referendum form to the government.
“If this is the scenario, how could the government announce the result when the majority of the residents are unaware of the situation,” said Suhaimi.
The bill to set up a corporation, Kg Baru Development, to take charge of Kampung Baru was tabled for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat on Dec 14, 2010. The corporation is to govern the 111-year-old enclave of 90.2 hectares located within the central district of Kuala Lumpur, where seven traditional Malay villages are located.
According to the amended Kuala Lumpur Draft Plan, the entire area is to be developed into a commercial district. The second reading of the bill was supposed to have taken place during the March sitting of Parliament, but was postponed after the residents complained.
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