Just a week ago, FT Minister Nong Chik said the land owners in Kg Baru have agreed in general to his proposal. But this was disputed by a group called MAS (Kampung Baru Malay Agricultural Settlement Administrative Board) who said no such agreement have been made. Now, Selangor’s MB Khalid is trying to put a leg in, by offering to meet the land owners with an alternative plan for development of Kg Baru.

Obviously, Minister Nong Chik is unhappy, but legally, can anyone stop someone from proposing plans? Ultimately the land owners have to decide themselves on how to proceed to develop the area.

I consider the alternative proposals, be it from Pakatan Rakyat’s Khalid or anyone else, a good thing. Having option will ensure competition to provide the best. Now, the FT Ministry mostly likely have to up the tempo and offer better plan. The land owners are kings now, and hopefully they will decide well.

This should be a lesson learnt for the voters and citizens. Know our rights, make sure we are valued by both sides, always look for alternatives, bargain hard, and decide wisely.

Federal Territories Minister Raja Datuk Nong Chik Zainal Abidin today told the Selangor mentri besar not to disrupt Putrajaya’s plan to redevelop Kampung Baru.

Raja Nong Chik alleged that Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim previously did not show any interest in Kampung Baru when leading the government fund management firm, PNB.

“I was shocked when Selangor MB Khalid Ibrahim said he wants to meet Kampung Baru residents,” said Raja Nong Chik at the launch of Lembah Pantai branch of the Malay rights group Perkasa here.

“I can only tell him one thing, mind you own business. There are a lot of problems in Selangor that he can look into,” he said.

He said Khalid’s sudden interest in Kampung Baru could be caused by PKR’s lack of popularity among the Malay community.

“Today because PKR does not enjoy the support of the Malays, he is pretending to be interested in Kampung Baru,” said Raja Nong Chik.

“There is no other reason but to cause disunity among the Malays in Kuala Lumpur,” he added.

Earlier today Khalid had said that he would meet with Kampung Baru residents in July to present the state government’s plans for the residents of the 110-year old Malay settlement.

He said the plan was drawn up 15 to 20 years ago upon the request of the federal government.

Although in Kuala Lumpur, Khalid had said that Selangor has administrative obligations to Kampung Baru.

He had pointed out that before Kuala Lumpur was made a Federal Territory, the Selangor Development Corporation (PKNS) was the entity responsible for developing Kampung Baru and the law stipulates that managerial rights still remain with the Selangor mentri besar.

Raja Nong Chik however dismissed Khalid’s claim on the power of the Selangor mentri besar over Kampung Baru.

“He was just speaking on historical aspect. If you want to talk about history, Selangor should still be under the control of Malacca,” he said.

On the claims by Kampung Baru Malay Agricultural Settlement Administrative Board (MAS) that the body must give an agreement before the development can proceed, Raja Nong Chik said the matter is up to the individual land owners.

“Legally they don’t have the right but we do not want to push anybody out of the negotiation,” he told reporters.

“Legally it is the right of the landowners. MAS cannot do anything, even the government cannot do anything,” said Raja Nong Chik.

He said he had met all the stakeholders involved in the redevelopment proposal including MAS adding that the final decision rest with the landowners and beneficiaries.

“We do not expect 100 per cent to agree one way or another. It can be a long process,” said Raja Nong Chik.