By THOMAS HUONG
KUALA LUMPUR: The dispute between MRT Corp and city property owners affected by the My Rapid Transit (MRT) project is close to being resolved, with lawyers representing the parties due to meet next week to work out the conditions for mutual agreement.
MRT Corp chief executive officer Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid reiterated that the key highlight of the MRT project owner's proposals to the affected property owners was not land acquisition.
The affected property owners would also be compensated for loss of business as well as legal fees.
The property owners in Jalan Sultan (Chinatown), Jalan Inai and Jalan Bukit Bintang would be affected by tunneling works for the 9.5km underground section of the 51km MRT Sungai Buloh-Kajang line.
Work on the MRT line in Jalan Sultan is expected to begin in the second quarter 2014, and tenants of the affected shoplots would need to move out for a period of up to six months for safety reasons.
“This is a project for the people. Compulsory land acquisition undertaken via the Land Acquisition Act, 1960 is a last resort for us. We can even work out the terms of the compensation for temporary accommodation and making good damages incurred during construction work for the MRT,” Azhar said.
He said while terms needed to be worked out with the property owners on details such as the possible re-building of 21 demolished lots in Jalan Bukit Bintang, he was optimistic of a positive outcome.
“There is also the possibility of a joint venture with the owners of the demolished lots to re-develop the area. Also, we do need some land for technical requirements such as air-ventilation shafts so maybe one lot owner in Jalan Bukit Bintang might be willing to sell. We will work out these details with the property owners,” he said.
Azhar also pointed out that it was not too late for the minority of property owners, who are not agreeable to MRT Corp's proposals, to work out mutual agreements.
“My door is open. We can still accommodate,” he said.
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