Open seat in Titiwangsa - The Star

By FAZLEENA AZIZ  

fazleena@thestar.com.my 

Sumber: The Star

KAMPUNG Baru residents could emerge as the kingmakers in deciding the outcome for the Titiwangsa parliamentary seat in the upcoming 13th General Election. Many Kampung Baru residents are still mulling over the redevelopment plan — Kampung Baru Development Corporation Act 2011 — for the 110-year-old settlement. 

The Bill was tabled, debated and passed during the Dewan Rakyat sitting in October last year. 

The three most important issues amended in the Act were revoking the immunity of the Kampung Baru Corporation, retaining the Malay Agricultural Society and introducing a new post of deputy chairman for the Kampung Baru Development Corporation that will include a landowner. 

In the city: Separated by more than just a highway, Kampung Baru is isolated from the progress and modern niceties of the city. in the city: Separated by more than just a highway, Kampung Baru is isolated from the progress and modern niceties of the city

 

While the residents are keen on the redevelopment plans, many are worried that the Land Acquisition Act 1960 will be used to push forward the plans. 

Recently, it was announced that landowners or their next-of-kin would only be charged a nominal premium of RM1,000 per lot to change the land status once Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has issued a development order. 

Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin, who launched the Kampung Baru Development Corporation (KB Corp), said the corporation started operations at Rohas Building in Kampung Baru on July 18. 

“No additional premium will be charged if development starts before the change of land status,” he said. 

Undecided: Development plans for the Pekeliling Flats are yet to be finalised. Undecided: Development plans for the Pekeliling Flats are yet to be finalised.

Nong Chik also announced the appointment of Datuk Astaman Aziz as KB Corp chairman and Datuk Mohd Khay Ibrahim as the chairman of its advisory board. 

Kampung Baru development association deputy president Dr Mohd Yusuf Ismail said the Government has fulfilled its promise to set up the corporation. 

“The development will begin on the stipulated date and the corporation will oversee the developments. Now they have to come up with a masterplan and things will fall in place,” he said. 

Another issue is the Pekeliling Flats where redevelopment plans are still unknown. 

Potential candidates are Umno’s Johari and Aziz Jamaluddin and PAS’ Ahmad Zamri are said to be in the running to contest for Titiwangsa.

Mr. Ahmad Zamri Asa'ad Khuzami, Timbalan Pesuruhjaya III PAS Wilayah Persekutuan and Pengarah Jabatan Undang-Undang dan Hak Asasi Manusia Dewan Pemuda PAS Malaysia (JUHAM DPPM).

Parts of the flats have been demolished but a portion of it is still standing. The area near the Titiwangsa monorail station is hoarded up. Residents were relocated to Desa Rejang and Wangsa Maju low-cost flats (PPRT). 

Some of the other core issues in the constituency involve Keramat Mall and Kampung Pandan Indian Settlement, which are unresolved. 

The mall in Datuk Keramat was a move to relocate traders in the old market. However, many were not keen to move as they felt it would be bad for business. 

Some traders had blamed the mall’s design for their decision to not move in. The wet market is on the upper floor while ground floor is meant for those selling dry goods. 

As for the Kampung Pandan Indian Settlement issue, the villagers had taken DBKL to court in 2009. 

The parliamentary seat has been left vacant since the death of PAS’ Dr Lo’Lo’ Mohd Ghazali last year. 

Dr Lo’Lo’ was the sole candidate from PAS to contest in the Federal Territory in 2008. 

Since last year, Ahmad Zamri Asa’ad Khuzaimi, 37, has been overseeing most of the work at the contituency. 

The Federal Territory PAS deputy commissioner is a lawyer by profession and the PAS Youth legal bureau chairman. He is said to be PAS’ candidate to contest in Titiwangsa. 

Umno Titiwangsa chief Datuk Johari Abdul Ghani is tipped to be Barisan Nasional’s candidate while Datuk Aziz Jamaluddin Md Tahir is said to be interested in contesting again. 

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