Villagers demand fair solution over 12-storey development in Petagas

Borneo Post

15-05-2025

KOTA KINABALU (May 15): Residents of Kampung Muhibbah Lama, Petagas are pleading for a win-win outcome regarding a planned 12-storey development in the heart of their village.
According to Sharif Rais Sarif Baba, 70, approval for the mixed development project on a two-acre plot was granted in 2021, over a decade after the land was purchased by a private company in 2010. However, the community was only notified of the development roughly three weeks ago, when developers began clearing the land and issued a 30-day notice for five houses to be vacated.
Sharif voiced frustration that the villagers were not consulted earlier and raised concerns about potential problems such as traffic congestion and sewage issues. His son, Sharif Aeman Azhari Raziz, 25, said they had pursued four official channels to address their concerns.
Some residents had also met with Putatan Member of Parliament and Tanjung Keramat assemblyman Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya, who later visited the site.
In a Facebook message shared by a villager, Shahelmey confirmed that the project had long been approved by the Putatan District Council and could not be halted. However, he promised that authorities would ensure the developer meets all requirements related to sewerage, traffic and safety.
Sharif stated that a recent meeting between the developers and villagers failed to reach a mutually agreeable outcome. He explained that families had lived on and around the land for generations, based on a verbal agreement with the previous landowner. He criticized the lack of early communication, saying affected families deserved either fair compensation or adjustments to the project boundary to preserve their homes.
A lawyer representing the developers claimed the villagers had built illegal structures on Commercial Land (CL), but residents argue they should have been informed much earlier.
Perikatan Nasional (PN) Penampang Youth chief Kanny Chew Ly Choi questioned whether the necessary permits were properly obtained, considering the site's location within an airport red zone and the proposed height of 12 floors.
However, he acknowledged that approvals had been secured from seven agencies, including the Fire and Rescue Department, Putatan District Council and Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).
Kanny said the development is set to be completed in three years, potentially affecting around 30 homes, and noted that nearly 100 villagers oppose the project. He stated that an objection letter will be sent to the Chief Minister soon.
'I urge all parties to show empathy to the affected residents, especially those facing imminent eviction. We are not against development, but we need cooperation from the MP, district council and developer so the villagers can live peacefully,' he said.
United Malays National Organisation (Umno) Putatan chief Jeffrey Nor acknowledged the land is privately owned but expressed concern about the project's location in the village's center and the potential impact on traffic.
He questioned how such a development could proceed without consulting nearby residents.
'Kampung Muhibbah Lama has long-standing roots and sentimental value. This issue must be resolved quickly. Development must respect the culture and identity of the local community,' he added.