KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 26 — Former Federal Territories minister Khalid Abdul Samad today urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to review the village redevelopment project in Kampung Sungai Baru because it was not done according to procedure.

"This is prime land but the evaluation price given by the local government is too low, which is only RM500/square feet, but private firms evaluated the land price here at RM1,500/square feet," said Khalid Samad in a press conference here today.

He then urged the prime minister and newly elected Titiwangsa MP Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani to get on the ground to investigate the matter and provide affected residents with fairer treatment.

"The eviction order is not issued by the court, it’s issued by the local government, so there won’t be any issue if Anwar postpones or removes the said eviction notice,” he added.

At the press conference, village spokesman Johari Zakariah said the affected residents had received an eviction notice from the Department of Director General of Land and Mines of Kuala Kuala Lumpur (JKPTG) last week and were only given 30 days to clear out from their homes.

"We are disappointed by the harsh and inhuman action of the department because the redevelopment project will take three years, and residents are forced to rent or buy a new place with the insufficient compensation money.

"Furthermore, there are also residents who have not received their money although they were given the eviction notice. This redevelopment plan was done during the pandemic period in 2019 and we had no chance to discuss or negotiate with the authorities,” said Johari.

He added that he had requested the JKPTG to extend the relocation period to a minimum of six months but was rejected after "instructions from above”.

Kampung Sungai Baru is a village located at the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s city centre, with famous landmarks such as KLCC Twin Towers and Saloma Bridge all within walking distance.

A total of 90 terraces houses and 800 flat units are affected in this redevelopment plan. Most of the affected residents have been living here for generations.