Johari promises legal representation for Sungai Baru flat residents if he wins Titiwangsa seat

KUALA LUMPUR: Sungai Baru Flat owners in Kampung Baru here will receive good legal representation to help them from being cheated in the Sungai Baru development project, if Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for Titiwangsa, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani wins in the 15th general election (GE15).

"In December, if developers still have not explained the compensation to home owners of Sungai Baru Flats, I will ensure that those who are victimised will be represented by great lawyers to ensure they are not cheated," he said at a programme with Kampung Baru residents yesterday.

He said that issues arose with the development of land in Sungai Baru after he lost in GE14 and developers managed to convince residents there that no one was representing them.

He said 89 per cent of them agreed to move out and signed agreements voluntarily and the developer used the Land Acquisition Act 1960 to take the remaining 11 percent of residents' homes there.

According to the act, the developer had the right to take the home or unit with the court's approval, but was required to compensate homeowners fully according to the current value of their premises.

"I'm really afraid that the developer can't be able to go through with the Sungai Baru Flat redevelopment project. If the developer has requested this acquisition, if approved (today), they could immediately conduct the payout (compensation to homeowners).

"Developers don't need any agreements (with homeowners) because of the act. The developer only needs to pay compensation and provide time for the owners to look for a new home. Now, how can they find a home when they haven't received the compensation," Johari said.

Johari will be up against Khalid Abdul Samad (Pakatan Harapan-Amanah), Dr Rosni Adam (Perikatan Nasional-PAS) and Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan (GTA-Pejuang) in a four-corner fight for the Tititwangsa seat in GE15.

-- BERNAMA