KBDC aims to restart stalled projects

by AFIQ AZIZ / pic by MUHD AMIN NAHARUL

THE reappointed Kampung Baru Development Corp (KBDC) chairman Datuk Affendi Zahari aims to restart any development projects left “untouched” under the previous Pakatan Harapan (PH) government into the Malay enclave.

After multi-changes of its redevelopment processes and policies, the grand masterplan of Kampung Baru is expected to take a “slowly but surely” approach, said Affendi, whose appointment is for two years effective Oct 19 last year.

He replaced Tan Sri Ambrin Buang whose term ended on Oct 18, 2020.

Affendi was KBDC chairman for three years from Aug 3, 2015, to Aug 15, 2018.

One of the projects will be the revival of the development of Duta-Ulu Kelang (DUKE) Phase 2A, involving some five packages connecting Kampung Baru with major roadways, involving a sum of RM250 million that will be footed by the Kuala Lumpur (KL) City Hall, Affendi said.

“There are five packages of this roadways which were approved in 2016 but were not pursued by the previous government.

“We are looking to embark on the Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway access to Kampung Sungai Baru by the first half of this year, as the area is the next catalyst for Kampung Baru development,” Affendi told The Malaysian Reserve in a phone interview.

Located adjacent to Kampung Baru, the area — about 5.26ha — is expected to house a 54-storey condominium spearheaded by Suez Domain Sdn Bhd.

The proposal has been ongoing for more than three years, as KBDC is facilitating landowners to agree with offers made by the assigned developer.

The redevelopment of Kampung Baru seemed to hit a stumbling block under the Barisan Nasional (BN) and PH administration due to land acquisition issues.

In 2015, the BN government launched a new masterplan for Kampung Baru, a 20 years’ agenda to transform the area into a modern Malay village in the heart of KL.

A total of 17,500 residential units are expected to be developed in the 121.8ha land area, to accommodate up to 77,000 people with an estimated construction cost of RM30 billion.

Meanwhile, for DUKE 2A which is slated for completion by 2024, Affendi said it will also ease congestion at the entry and exit points at Kampung Baru with passageways and underpass tunnels at some junctions like at the area of Universiti Kuala Lumpur traffic light.

“We have allowed the developer to develop based on a 1:10 plot ratio, that means if you have 100,000-acre (40,468.56ha) of land, you can only use 10,000 acres for the development.

“As such, the access roads must be improved and uplifted. If not, it will only worsen the congestion at Kampung Baru. If so, how would people be convinced of this redevelopment agenda?” he said.

Read our previous report here