Don't be taken in by opposition's promises: Johari

KUALA LUMPUR: Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani reminded residents of Kampung Baru here, not to be taken in by the opposition's promises to implement development in the Golden Triangle.
Johari who is also the Member of Parliament for Titiwangsa said, the opposition leaders were now acting like heroes to win support in the upcoming general election.
"The opposition parties promise that if they win, they will be able to develop Kampung Baru tomorrow. Do not be duped by this fairy tale. People who are not aware of the Kampung Baru issue will often act like heroes and make empty promises," he said at the launch of the 3R programme here today.
He said Kampung Baru could not be developed arbitrarily without the consent of the 5,000 heirs to the 1,355 parcels of land.
He said although the government could take over the land given by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Alauddin Sulaiman Syah Raja Muda Musa 115 years ago according to legislation, it would have an adverse effect as the Malays would lose ownership of the property.
"I am with the Kampung Baru Development Corporation and Malay Agricultural Settlement (MAS) in that whatever development takes place here, the land shall remain to be the property of the Malays as it is a gift that cannot be bought or sold.
"There are many challenges in developing this area. There are difficulties in obtaining landowners' approval as a few are holding on to the property as the land has sentimental value to them, so we need to buy some time," he said. — Bernama