A select committee under the Pakatan Rakyat-led Selangor state assembly has exposed yet another alleged cheap land scandal involving Umno today, claiming this time the latter had piggybacked on the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) to expedite its land approval.
Selangor select committee on land and district offices (Padat) chairperson Ng Suee Lim (left)claimed that Kota Raja Umno division and MBSA jointly applied for the seven-acre land in 2006, ostensibly to build a sports and recreation complex and community centre.
There were allegedly another 11 applicants from private developers intendeding to use the land for commercial and residential projects.
The Klang District Land Committee, which was at the time in charge of the plot in Section 25, Shah Alam, recommended that four acres go to MBSA and three to the Umno division at market price, Ng said.
However, when the state executive council, chaired by then-menteri besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo (right) met to approve the land application, the proportion of ownership was reversed and Umno supposedly got four acres while MBSA received three.
Selangor select committee on land and district offices (Padat) chairperson Ng Suee Lim (left)claimed that Kota Raja Umno division and MBSA jointly applied for the seven-acre land in 2006, ostensibly to build a sports and recreation complex and community centre.There were allegedly another 11 applicants from private developers intendeding to use the land for commercial and residential projects.
The Klang District Land Committee, which was at the time in charge of the plot in Section 25, Shah Alam, recommended that four acres go to MBSA and three to the Umno division at market price, Ng said.
However, when the state executive council, chaired by then-menteri besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo (right) met to approve the land application, the proportion of ownership was reversed and Umno supposedly got four acres while MBSA received three.
Ng further claimed that in addition, Kota Raja Umno only needed to pay a ‘nominal fee’ of RM1,000 as land premium, although fellow Padat committee member Shuhaimi Shafiei claimed that land in the area was estimated to be worth RM700,000 per acre at the time.
When applying for the development planning approval (Kebenaran Merancang), he said the proposal called for apartments and shoplots, with only a small hall for MBSA.
He added that Phase One of the development would consist of over 600 apartment units worth at least RM124 million, 11 shoplots, and other amenities, plus more of the same in the remaining two phases.
However, he said he is unable to provide details on Phase Two and Three because the relevant development planning approval applications have yet to be submitted.
However, he said he is unable to provide details on Phase Two and Three because the relevant development planning approval applications have yet to be submitted.
'Hottest' case to date
Lim, who is also the Sekinchan assemblyperson, said that this is the ‘hottest’ case that he has raised to date as it shows how Umno had leveraged on a local council to its advantage.
The land is one of 24 plots of land that he had earlier claimed to be purchased cheaply by BN component parties when the coalition was in control of the state during the previous administration.
“MBSA, as the local authority, has been used by Kota Raja Umno for all convenience and facilities. How?
“Since it (Kota Raja Umno) is using MBSA, the development planning approval is easier and more expedient compared to a private entity or political party. Therefore Umno is like a parasite,” he said at a press conference today.
“MBSA, as the local authority, has been used by Kota Raja Umno for all convenience and facilities. How?“Since it (Kota Raja Umno) is using MBSA, the development planning approval is easier and more expedient compared to a private entity or political party. Therefore Umno is like a parasite,” he said at a press conference today.
Shuhaimi added that Padat has also recommended that Kota Raja Umno pay RM500,000 as ‘consolation' to MBSA.
While conceding that is it far below the price of the land, MBSA would otherwise have nothing to show for the deal except for the hall sitting on about 0.3 acres.
During a site visit to the area after the press conference, the five apartment blocks appeared to be nearing completion , but construction was still ongoing nearby.
Reporters were also given access to the hall meant for MBSA and found it so small that it could only fit in two badminton courts.
Ng demanded that prime minister and Selangor BN chief Najib Abdul Razak apologise specifically for the alleged land grab scandal, otherwise Selangorians should not even consider voting BN back into power.
He also demanded that all 24 plots be returned to the state government.
While conceding that is it far below the price of the land, MBSA would otherwise have nothing to show for the deal except for the hall sitting on about 0.3 acres.
During a site visit to the area after the press conference, the five apartment blocks appeared to be nearing completion , but construction was still ongoing nearby.
Reporters were also given access to the hall meant for MBSA and found it so small that it could only fit in two badminton courts.
Ng demanded that prime minister and Selangor BN chief Najib Abdul Razak apologise specifically for the alleged land grab scandal, otherwise Selangorians should not even consider voting BN back into power.
He also demanded that all 24 plots be returned to the state government.
When contacted, then-Kota Raja Umno chief Amzah Umar denied any wrongdoing in the matter.
“Umno land is only four acres; MBSA three. We do not mess with the MBSA land (since) it is a joint venture.
“The recreational centre has not been built yet and is still in progress. The hall is already there,” he said.
“The recreational centre has not been built yet and is still in progress. The hall is already there,” he said.
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