Kuala Terengganu MP Syed Azman Syed Ahmad Nawawi has assured landowners and tenants affected by a massive land acquisition project in the town of Cabang Tiga that their interests and welfare will be looked after.

"Let me assure those concerned that we are looking at all aspects of the issue. We have taken the future of businesses and residents in the area into consideration," he told malaysiakini today.

Syed Azman was responding to today's report in The Star on the future of businesses that will be affected by the federal Department of Land and Mines project, due to start early next year, to widen the outer ring road in the town.

"We are aware that some of the shops in the area are very old. However, the development, traffic conditions, and future of the town must also be taken into account," he added.

In the report, concerns were also raised that the project to widen the road would include demolishing a row of century-old buildings.

"That particular area is also notorious for its traffic congestion, (and) the project to widen the outer ring road would do well for the businesses there," the MP explained.

Cabang Tiga is situated in Syed Azman's parliamentary constituency of Kuala Terengganu.

Joint project

The project, a joint-collaboration between the federal and state departments of land and mines, was planned in 1993. The inquiry into its impact on the landowners and residents began a month ago and is scheduled to be completed by the end of this month.

Syed Azman said that the assessment of such matters as compensation for the landowners and businesses as well as possible areas for the relocation of those affected were ongoing.

"We have a number of possible areas (for relocation), but those aspects will be determined in due time. We're still studying the possibilities," he added.

According to the MP, the project was planned and funded by the federal government.

Media reports said that local residents want the project postponed until alternative housing and shop lots are provided for them.

The project is expected to result in about 70 old buildings and semi-permanent structures torn down after the acquisition of 200 lots of land in the affected area.