The Malaysian government’s invocation of the Land Acquisition Act 1960 upon the residents of Kampung Sungai Baru saw a community forcibly removed from their homes on 11 September 2025. While the dust may be considered settled by most outsiders, we should take a step back and consider what this bodes for the future.
Let’s turn back the clock. Kampung Sungai Baru was considered a symbol of heritage and resilience, with generations of families living their lives in terrace houses or PKNS flats. Some 2,000 residents called this home, until their future plans got shaken at their foundations.
In 2016, the government announced plans to redevelop the area, so as to “modernise and maximise the economic potential of prime urban land”. The 64 terrace homes and 264 PKNS flats would be replaced with high-rises, and the general area to have a new shopping complex and luxury commercial buildings. Only a small area was allocated to rehousing the residents, according to Kampung Sungai Baru Rights’ Committee’s legal adviser, N. Surendran.
By 21 June 2021, the land was acquired through the Land Acquisition Act 1960. This took control of the land away from the residents, who could now only have negotiations or legal challenges as some form of recourse. The valuation of RM400 per sq ft by officials was disputed, as residents argued properties near KLCC would typically go for RM1,000 per sq ft, or more.
While many residents did come to individual agreements and moved out, some remained and filed legal objections. As the eviction deadline loomed, it culminated in a scuffle and arrests on 11 September 2025, as authorities prepared to evict those who were left. Federal Territories Minister, Dr Zaliha Mustafa, had defended the operation, pointing out majority consent, lawful court writs and urged residents to seek legal redress over confrontation.
As per the timeline, the development plan was initiated under Dato’ Sri Najib Abdul Razak’s leadership, the Land Acquisition Act 1960 invoked under Tan Sri Dato’ Muhiyiddin Yassin, and the eviction subsequently completed under Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, if you want to know who to direct your ire at.
On one hand, the redevelopment is a natural step towards progress. However, must progress come at the cost of losing heritage and the people there? The residents also have their own questions and skepticism: have they truly been properly compensated? They also want transparency into how the valuations were made, and the fact that the law was used to acquire the land. There is the argument to be made that the residents could continue negotiating with the developer, but with the invocation of the law, the responsibility of compensation falls to the government.
Resident and activist, Rafidah Ibrahim, gave a tearful statement on how they had lodged a report with Suhakam, in hopes of getting their rights acknowledged and exercised. She asked about the conspicuous absence of authorities who were meant to stand for them, where instead, they only had the police force who showed up with riot control equipment. “It’s as if we here in Kampung Sungai Baru have been isolated.” She also addressed claims about millions in compensation, nowhere near the RM448,000 received by flat owners, and no black-and-white assurance of compensation for terrace house owners. Additionally, Kampung Sungai Baru had been identified as Malay Agricultural Settlement or MAS, by the then-resident of Selangor; a British colonial status giving the land protection and strict conditions against any acquisition of land.
The Sultan of Selangor had also weighed in, standing with the residents. While he clarified he was not against the redevelopment itself, Sultan Sharafuddin urged, “I want the relevant parties, in deliberating on this matter, to take into consideration the original history of the establishment and the heritage of the Kampung Baru area.” His statement came a week after the last of the residents had finally vacated.
Development is set to begin in the first quarter of 2026. Kampung Sungai Baru’s new future is tinged with bitterness and loss, as residents were, in the end, forced to abandon their homes. In the pursuit of progress and shiny modern buildings, Malaysia’s government must be wary of going too far over the line, and not lose sight of the people who make or break the nation.
Main image credit: Djohan Shahrin via MalaysiaNow
