Kampung Baru Development Corporation (PKB) has admitted facing obstacles in redeveloping Kampung Baru as it only managed to secure consent from owners of 18 land titles out of 1,530 lots despite one year of hard work.

This is because PKB has to trace each and every heir of the original land owners to get their consent.

PKB chairperson Affendi Zahari said the corporation had to deal with 5,000 land owners, including some unknown owners, before they could obtain a clean title to redevelop the 121.9ha Kampung Baru land.

"The land owners had their land registered 50 years ago. Mind you, if each land owner has four children and each of the child had four children, (we have to deal with) dozens of land owners now," he said.

As of 2015, PKB has recorded on paper a total of 5,000 land owners, according to Affendi.

He said PKB is tackling the problem by conducting clinics twice a month together with the Land Office and Amanah Raya Berhad to settle the land ownership issues.

In the meantime, he said they have started to redevelop Kampung Baru on a piecemeal basis, according to the Kampung Baru Development Master Plan, which was launched by then deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin back in January 2015.

It was reported also that Kampung Baru would undergo a RM43 billion facelift in the next 20 years, from 2015.

"We cannot say we are targeting to have the project (completed) in 20 years' time because the land (ownership issue) determines everything.

"We cannot develop without a clean land title," Affendi said, responding to questions if the land (ownership) issue affects its completion target.

"It's not easy. Nobody has ever said it is easy to develop Kampung Baru," he said.

Affendi also said they may tweak the development plan if necessary.

Kampung Baru, which is expected to change the landscape of Kuala Lumpur, consists of three phases, Zone A, B and C, reported The Star.

Zone A is the lot amalgamation for individually owned land. It merges at least six lots or a minimum of 2,787 sq m for the development of grade “A” buildings.

Zone B involved comprehensive redevelopment that focused on building sufficient facilities and infrastructure for the community and to provide quality living.

Zone C is called 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.