MCA now blames Selangor MB over Batu Caves condo

Regardless of which Selayang councillors approved the controversial Batu Caves condominium complex, the ultimate responsibility should lie with Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, insists Selangor MCA chief Donald Lim.

He claimed that the approval letter from the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) under Barisan Nasional's watch was only for the planning of the project, while the approval for the plans of the 29-storey condominium was dated June 26, 2008, after the March 2008 transition of power in the state to Pakatan Rakyat.

"By then they (Pakatan) are in power, everything was approved during their time, they have to be responsible. If this is approved during your time then either you are sleeping or don’t know anything," said Lim (right), who distributed the two MPS approval letters to reporters.

As far as MCA is concerned, he said, the old BN appointed party representatives on the local council have resigned immediately in March following BN's loss.

Speaking at a press conference at the Parliament lobby today, he further argued that despite any approvals, Abdul Khalid had the power to override the council's approval and nip the project in the bud in 2008 if he had wanted to, instead of waiting four years till now.

"When you are in power and say that other people approved it, you can't, because you are the MB, and can overrule all the projects in the state.

"...this thing was approved by the previous government. I want to say that we know they (Pakatan) have taken over the state, (and) formed the government, so they have the duty to look at whatever projects was approved.

"(If) Previously approved wrongly by some councilors, they have to change it and not just put the blame because this project is not approved by the state executive council, it’s by a few councilors and the One Stop Centre… I’m not sure who were the councilors then, (but) whoever approved it, (did so) after 2008 on the 29-storey condo. So this is my point".

‘Don’t blame previous BN government’

Lim also accused Abdul Khalid (left) of intentionally using the issue to blame the previous BN government instead of taking rightful responsibility.

"I’m saying they didn’t do their job..that means they are not really public conscious because they are holding the power..and didn’t do it but put the blame on the previous government.

"So after nearly five years, all they know… when Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said (to stop the project if BN takes over) the MB says it’s for popularity," concluded Lim taking a dig at the Pakatan-led state.

The condominium project in Batu Caves, located near the iconic Hindu Temple to Lord Murugan courted controversy, after it was stirred up by the MIC-linked temple committee who wanted the project shelved quoting potential environmental damage and possible disruptions to the place of worship.

Senator and former MPS councillor A Kohilan Pillay led a protestagainst the condo, putting the blame on the Pakatan government.

However Selangor exco Ronnie Liu responded that the project was approved in 2007 when Kohilan(right) himself was a councillor and that plans submitted then had included the 29-storey building.

A present MPS councillor further claimed that the building plan was approved on May 26, 2008 before Pakatan concillors took office in July 2008, after the political tsunami of the last general election.

Following denials from the BN parties, MPS revealed minutes of the full board meeting of Nov 29, 2007, showing that Kohilan and 19 other BN councillors, including three from the MIC, had approved the project.

With the next general election coming up and both sides jostling for the support of the Indian community, the blame game over the project seems to see no end.