KUCHING: State PKR leaders expressed their concern over the recent government announcement of the Darul Hana development project, questioning whether the government had given any thought to retaining the culture and heritage of the long established villages.
Its state election committee member Baharuddin Mokhsen said they were concerned as culture and heritage – like historical relics or sites – once gone, are gone forever.
“We are not saying that the government has not taken any consideration but we want to highlight it now before the damage is done,” he told a press conference held at state party headquarters here yesterday.
Baharuddin pointed out that PKR welcomed positive efforts and development initiated by the government for the people, but the recent announcement on Darul Hana development generated a lot of anxiety as many of those affected are still in the dark on the project’s details.
He said much was left to be desired in terms of the period and manner of consultation with those affected, and that consultations should be thorough, transparent and held over a fair period of time to enable all those affected to provide input.
“At the same time, give them the opportunity to seek outside or professional independent advice on project viability. Rushing into a project that is as big as this and involving a huge number of families could be unwise.”
Baharuddin said there must be transparency in the quantum of compensation and consideration as the land the villagers are giving up is a ‘gold mine’ being prime commercial land.
He questioned whether the villagers had lost all interest by surrendering their ancestral land, and that this was the scenario which delayed the redevelopment of Kampung Baru in Kuala Lumpur.
“The prime concern was the total loss to the Malay community of the last bit of prime land in the city. We feel there must be some sort of mechanism to retain some ownership of the new township.”
Baharuddin called on the government to ensure transparency of whatever contract or services to be done in the area, and avoid the habit of subcontracting to “crony companies”.
On the same subject, Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How said the party was skeptical whether any thought was given to retain the culture and heritage of the villagers.
“The old Satok suspension bridge is a good example. After it was gone, they should have replaced it. They talked about it but nothing was done about it until now.