KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur City Hall must ensure that all land acquisitions for project developments meet strict criteria to avoid future complications, said Titiwangsa member of parliament Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
Citing the challenges at Pasar Datuk Keramat as an example, Johari, who is also the plantation and commodities minister, said it was crucial that the vetting process of developers be done thoroughly before the approval of land acquisitions to safeguard the livelihoods of affected communities.
He said the criteria must include a solid company background, strong financial standing and a clear plan for managing the relocation of traders in the area.
"The Implementation Coordination Unit from the Prime Minister's Office recently visited Pasar Datuk Keramat to assess what needs upgrading. I am waiting for feedback from them.
"Additionally, City Hall has reclaimed the land and payment has been refunded to the developer as it failed to complete the project.
"I have instructed City Hall that, moving forward, any party wishing to acquire land under its jurisdiction must meet the three criteria," he told reporters after the Santun Madani programme with Kampung Datuk Keramat residents here today.
Johari said Pasar Datuk Keramat has been entangled in a six-year impasse due to the previous developer's failure to meet financial obligations or complete the redevelopment project.
Following this, he said the land acquisition approvals should not be granted to developers that failed to meet the required criteria.
"We have seen how, for the past six years, the developer could not proceed with the project, leaving damage (facilities) unfixed.
"While the issue has been resolved, any privatisation effort involving City Hall land must ensure these criteria are strictly enforced."
In July, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim directed City Hall to address the redevelopment issues at Pasar Datuk Keramat, which has been operating in a dilapidated state.
The upgrading project had been delayed for six years due to the developer's failure to complete it within the stipulated timeframe.
Anwar also said the matter would be referred to Johari and the then Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Kamarulzaman Mat Salleh for further action.
Meanwhile, Johari said any development project must prioritise the needs of local traders and communities to ensure sustainable progress.
He said that while there are currently no redevelopment plans for Pasar Datuk Keramat, any future redevelopment should not come at the expense of the traders who have been operating there for decades.
"While waiting to decide on the next steps, we must focus on refurbishment. If redevelopment is proposed in the future, it is crucial to have a clear plan for relocating the traders.
"We cannot allow projects that displace traders, who have been here for 30 to 40 years. This is why we insisted on a win-win situation," he said.