Semenyih bypass battle: Landowners to be consulted, can propose suitable value - Amirudin
He said the land acquisition process would also need to be resolved before the project could proceed.
SHAH ALAM - Any land acquisition for the proposed Semenyih bypass will involve engagement with affected landowners, who have the right to propose what they consider a suitable value for their land.
Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the Semenyih project and surrounding developments were currently in the process of obtaining planning permission and other necessary approvals.
He added that the land acquisition process would also need to be resolved before the project could proceed.
“Any acquisition process will definitely involve engagement with the landowners. For the Semenyih project and developments around the area, they are currently in the process of obtaining planning permission and other approvals.
“However, the land matter must also be resolved, as the contractor or developer has to settle the acquisition process,” he said.
Amirudin explained that the project was intended as a comprehensive solution to address traffic congestion in the area, provide a new Muslim cemetery for Kuala Lumpur and support the residential needs of surrounding communities.
At the same time he said, the project would help resolve traffic congestion in the area.
He said the process would take time, with the state government’s task being to carry out and complete the land acquisition process.
The state government would also engage with landowners and other stakeholders as part of the process, although the timing would depend on advice from the Selangor Land and Mines Office.
“As for when the engagement will take place, I will have to refer to the state Land and Mines Office on when action needs to be taken.
“The main issue during the engagement will normally be the value of the land. Landowners have the right to propose what they consider to be a suitable value, while the state government will try to balance this with what it considers a fair value for public utilities or public facilities.
“Whether the project will proceed according to the current plan will depend on the agreement on the land and the development order approvals from the local councils. The state government will facilitate and coordinate discussions between the developer and the landowners,” he said.
On Sept 9, Sinar Daily reported that Kampung Sungai Pening residents continued to oppose the proposed 4.3km Semenyih Bypass Road. They clarified that their opposition is not to the bypass project or the proposed Muslim cemetery themselves, but rather to the road's current alignment, which cuts through the village
The proposed route would affect 35 land lots covering about 47.7 acres, including Malay Reserve Land.
Residents said the land acquisition process had progressed to Section 8 under the Land Acquisition Act 1960 despite unresolved concerns over compensation, replacement land, access and consultation.
Kampung Sungai Pening Action Committee adviser Datuk Siajam Buyong and member Shahril Faizal Abd Samat said residents had proposed four alternative routes, including one about 400m longer, which they believed could reduce land acquisition, earthworks, flooding and impacts on the community.
Siajam also questioned the protection of Malay Reserve Land and the project's environmental and social implications, while affected landowner Sitam Ali said the acquisition could divide his agricultural property and threaten his retirement income.
On Jan 27, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the bypass was needed to ease traffic congestion and that land acquisition issues would be addressed through replacement land and Selangor Government guarantees.
However, residents maintained that the alignment should be reconsidered and viable alternatives fully assessed before the project proceeded.
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