By Sharen Kaur
Published in NST, February 15 2016
KUALA LUMPUR: THE redevelopment of Kampong Bharu will spearhead Malaysia's plan to make Kuala Lumpur a liveable city by 2020 and on par with Singapore.
Kampong Bharu, which according to Kampong Bharu Development Corp (KBDC) chairman Datuk Affendi Zahari is how it should be spelt, will undergo a massive makeover in the next 20 years.
The Kampong Bharu Detailed Development Masterplan (PITPKB), launched in January 2015, spells out the Kampong Bharu rejuvenation process which involves a RM43 billion spending over 20 years.
During this period, around 7.3 million square metres of residential and commercial developments would be established, generating more than RM60 billion in gross development value (GDV).
Speaking to Property Times, Affendi said the Kampong Bharu master plan will look at iconic structures that will come close to the 40ha KLCC development in the central business district of Kuala Lumpur.
"I like the idea of making Kampong Bharu a liveable city. Singapore is a good example... it has one of the best master plans in the world. We are also looking at the KLCC development, which had placed Malaysia on the world map with their outstanding structures," said Affendi.
The KLCC area encompasses the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, Menara ExxonMobil, Menara 3 Petronas, Suria KLCC and a landscape park with water features.
It is a landmark of Prime A-Class offices, premier retail, four- to five- star hotels, luxury residences, MICE (meetings, incentives, convention and exhibition facilities) and world-class entertainment fronting the lush KLCC park.
Affendi said in order to ensure that the development of Kampong Bharu is equally a success, the original PITPKB has been tweaked to encourage investments and to benefit the land owners.
"When the master plan was first launched, the business model was different. There would be a special purpose vehicle which would enter into an agreement with the land owners and buy up the entire area and then undertake a master development. When I took over KBDC in August 2015, we decided to introduce a new business model which would benefit land owners and encourage investments.
"Kampong Bharu is a brownfield site with small land owners. We are encouraging them to come together and sell their land, or develop it and unlock the value. We are asking them to approach us so we could find reputable developers to help them develop their land. We are there not as a middle man but to facilitate the development activities.
"We have started this process and are talking to several local developers to see how they can help the Kampong Bharu people unlock the value of their land. This is not easy as there are many lots with multiple land owners," he said.
The 116-year-old Kampong Bharu has a total land area of 120ha, most of which is owned by individual owners, who acquired small plots in early 1900s. The land is divided into 1,355 lots with around 5,300 registered owners. Of the total 1,355 lots, around 88 per cent, or 1,193 lots, measure less than 11,840 sq ft or 0.11ha each.
The current Kampong Bharu landscape comprises seven villages, Chow Kit, Sungai Bharu and the PKNS flats. The seven villages are Kampung Periok and Kampung Hujung Pasir, of which villagers are from Malaccan descendants; Kampung Masjid (Rawa); Kampung Paya (majority Javanese); Kampung Atas A and Kampung Atas B (mixture of Mandailing and Minangkabau); and Kampung Pindah (Malaccan and Javanese descendants).
Among the iconic structures that still stand today from yesteryears are the Sultan Suleiman Club, Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru, Masjid Pakistan, Gurdwara Tatt Khalsa (Sikh temple) and several rows of sundry shops. The Sultan Suleiman Club opened in 1909, but its original structure has been turned into a museum while the adjacent Sultan Suleiman building, which was rebuilt in 1969, is now used for commercial purposes.
Kampong Bharu saw its first major facelift around 1967, spearheaded by the Selangor State Development Corp (PKNS). In the 1970s, UDA Holdings Bhd and the Federal Government embarked on a plan to build several rows of shop offices to accommodate demand from traders and businessmen. Since then, there has been no further major developments in Kampong Bharu.
"Although we have tweaked the master plan for Kampong Bharu, we will remain focused on preserving its cultural elements, building green projects with parks and water features and a sustainable development. There will now be two zones (Zone A and B) for development instead of three previously," he said.
Zone A is the lot amalgamation for individually owned land whereby at least six lots, or a minimum of 2,787sq m, would be merged for the development of Grade A buildings.
Zone B is planned for the Business Improvement District Scheme, where existing infrastructure, facilities and environment will be upgraded to act as a catalyst for more vibrant and active business activities.
He said the catalyst for the development of Kampong Bharu will be the Kampong Bharu City Centre (KBCC).
"KBCC is part of the new master plan and it will comprise offices, hotels and other facilities," he said.
The bulk of the RM43 billion spending is for infrastructure development to provide easy access in and out of Kampong Bharu.
"We plan to build a link from the KLCC area into Kampong Bharu. We are naming it Saloma link only because it will be built in Lorong Saloma. We are also planning to build a ramp starting from Lorong Saloma heading towards Akleh (Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway).
"The ramp would terminate over the other side of Akleh into Sungai Bharu. That is how we want to draw people from KLCC into Kampong Bharu and vice versa. There will be improved infrastructures such as expanded roads and drainage system," he said.
There are around 15 ongoing projects in Kampong Bharu undertaken by Yayasan Pembangunan Economic Islam Malaysia, Majlis Agama Islam Malaysia, Arina Development Unity Sdn Bhd, Safuan Group and UDA.
UDA was one of few developers which took initiatives to help rejuvenate Kampong Bharu.
It has a RM500 million mixed development comprising 48 business units and 643 condominiums and a 30-storey office tower.
Published in NST, February 15 2016
KUALA LUMPUR: THE redevelopment of Kampong Bharu will spearhead Malaysia's plan to make Kuala Lumpur a liveable city by 2020 and on par with Singapore.
Kampong Bharu, which according to Kampong Bharu Development Corp (KBDC) chairman Datuk Affendi Zahari is how it should be spelt, will undergo a massive makeover in the next 20 years.
The Kampong Bharu Detailed Development Masterplan (PITPKB), launched in January 2015, spells out the Kampong Bharu rejuvenation process which involves a RM43 billion spending over 20 years.
During this period, around 7.3 million square metres of residential and commercial developments would be established, generating more than RM60 billion in gross development value (GDV).
Speaking to Property Times, Affendi said the Kampong Bharu master plan will look at iconic structures that will come close to the 40ha KLCC development in the central business district of Kuala Lumpur.
"I like the idea of making Kampong Bharu a liveable city. Singapore is a good example... it has one of the best master plans in the world. We are also looking at the KLCC development, which had placed Malaysia on the world map with their outstanding structures," said Affendi.
The KLCC area encompasses the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, Menara ExxonMobil, Menara 3 Petronas, Suria KLCC and a landscape park with water features.
It is a landmark of Prime A-Class offices, premier retail, four- to five- star hotels, luxury residences, MICE (meetings, incentives, convention and exhibition facilities) and world-class entertainment fronting the lush KLCC park.
Affendi said in order to ensure that the development of Kampong Bharu is equally a success, the original PITPKB has been tweaked to encourage investments and to benefit the land owners.
"When the master plan was first launched, the business model was different. There would be a special purpose vehicle which would enter into an agreement with the land owners and buy up the entire area and then undertake a master development. When I took over KBDC in August 2015, we decided to introduce a new business model which would benefit land owners and encourage investments.
"Kampong Bharu is a brownfield site with small land owners. We are encouraging them to come together and sell their land, or develop it and unlock the value. We are asking them to approach us so we could find reputable developers to help them develop their land. We are there not as a middle man but to facilitate the development activities.
"We have started this process and are talking to several local developers to see how they can help the Kampong Bharu people unlock the value of their land. This is not easy as there are many lots with multiple land owners," he said.
The 116-year-old Kampong Bharu has a total land area of 120ha, most of which is owned by individual owners, who acquired small plots in early 1900s. The land is divided into 1,355 lots with around 5,300 registered owners. Of the total 1,355 lots, around 88 per cent, or 1,193 lots, measure less than 11,840 sq ft or 0.11ha each.
The current Kampong Bharu landscape comprises seven villages, Chow Kit, Sungai Bharu and the PKNS flats. The seven villages are Kampung Periok and Kampung Hujung Pasir, of which villagers are from Malaccan descendants; Kampung Masjid (Rawa); Kampung Paya (majority Javanese); Kampung Atas A and Kampung Atas B (mixture of Mandailing and Minangkabau); and Kampung Pindah (Malaccan and Javanese descendants).
Among the iconic structures that still stand today from yesteryears are the Sultan Suleiman Club, Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru, Masjid Pakistan, Gurdwara Tatt Khalsa (Sikh temple) and several rows of sundry shops. The Sultan Suleiman Club opened in 1909, but its original structure has been turned into a museum while the adjacent Sultan Suleiman building, which was rebuilt in 1969, is now used for commercial purposes.
Kampong Bharu saw its first major facelift around 1967, spearheaded by the Selangor State Development Corp (PKNS). In the 1970s, UDA Holdings Bhd and the Federal Government embarked on a plan to build several rows of shop offices to accommodate demand from traders and businessmen. Since then, there has been no further major developments in Kampong Bharu.
"Although we have tweaked the master plan for Kampong Bharu, we will remain focused on preserving its cultural elements, building green projects with parks and water features and a sustainable development. There will now be two zones (Zone A and B) for development instead of three previously," he said.
Zone A is the lot amalgamation for individually owned land whereby at least six lots, or a minimum of 2,787sq m, would be merged for the development of Grade A buildings.
Zone B is planned for the Business Improvement District Scheme, where existing infrastructure, facilities and environment will be upgraded to act as a catalyst for more vibrant and active business activities.
He said the catalyst for the development of Kampong Bharu will be the Kampong Bharu City Centre (KBCC).
"KBCC is part of the new master plan and it will comprise offices, hotels and other facilities," he said.
The bulk of the RM43 billion spending is for infrastructure development to provide easy access in and out of Kampong Bharu.
"We plan to build a link from the KLCC area into Kampong Bharu. We are naming it Saloma link only because it will be built in Lorong Saloma. We are also planning to build a ramp starting from Lorong Saloma heading towards Akleh (Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway).
"The ramp would terminate over the other side of Akleh into Sungai Bharu. That is how we want to draw people from KLCC into Kampong Bharu and vice versa. There will be improved infrastructures such as expanded roads and drainage system," he said.
There are around 15 ongoing projects in Kampong Bharu undertaken by Yayasan Pembangunan Economic Islam Malaysia, Majlis Agama Islam Malaysia, Arina Development Unity Sdn Bhd, Safuan Group and UDA.
UDA was one of few developers which took initiatives to help rejuvenate Kampong Bharu.
It has a RM500 million mixed development comprising 48 business units and 643 condominiums and a 30-storey office tower.
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