The Datum Jelatek project in Taman Keramat, Selangor, will be built as planned despite protests against it, says the developer which has again dismissed claims by nearby residents that the predominantly Malay area will turn into a "Chinese district".
DatumCorp International chief operating officer Shytul Shahryn Mohamad Shaari told The Malaysian Insider that the project would continue without further delay, even if more protests are planned.
"Disturbances like this are normal, but just as what Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor (PKNS) has said before, we will proceed with the work as it is beneficial to the people," he said.
The RM1.2 billion Datum Jelatek project, which was started in 2008 on a 2.4-hectare land next to the Jelatek LRT Station, comprises four blocks of luxury condominiums, hotel, offices and a shopping centre.
The condominium is to be built on the former site of four blocks of PKNS flats owned mostly by Malays, which were demolished in late 2010.
The Datum Jelatek project received planning approval in November 2011 from the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council, but had been postponed several times, over a variety of issues.
The latest which occurred last Sunday was by far the most rowdy when some 100 protesters turned aggressive and broke into the construction site.
The angry residents began marching towards the site before proceeding to tear down the zinc barrier surrounding it, with several protesters trespassing on the site.
However, police managed to bring the situation under control and the crowd soon dispersed. Two police trucks were seen at the site.
Shytul again dispelled the wild claims made by the protesters that the area would be turned into a Chinese district and said that until now, not a single lot of the condominium had been sold.
"The issue of Malays being sidelined does not arise, the news which had been circulated was untrue, such as the sale of one or two blocks to foreign parties. That never happened."
Shytul clarified that sales were done by DatumCorp, clarifying that not a single unit had been sold to anyone, nor had any money been collected.
"We only have a list of interested buyers," he told The Malaysian Insider.
The developer had earlier said 1,097 Bumiputera buyers had registered their interest to buy 674 units in the project.
Commenting on Sunday's incident, he explained that the developer had already met with residents in the area and claimed the majority of them had reacted positively to the project.
"I can guarantee that Keramat residents were not directly involved in the latest demonstrations as we had already met with them in stages.
"We have met more than 100 residents in the area, they are supportive of the project and many of them are also interested in buying from us."
Shytul also gave assurances that the developer would give priority to Bumiputera buyers even though the PKNS quota for the project was 50% for Bumiputera and 50% for non-Bumiputera.
"We did not set the quota, the authorities did. However, at DatumCorp, we will try and sell as many units as possible to the Bumiputera," he said.
On the issue that the selling price might be too steep, Shytul said factors such as location and easy amenities needed to be taken into consideration when valuing a property.
The price of a unit at the project has been pegged at RM700,000.
"If a unit is sold at such a price in Rawang, then it might be a bit steep," Shytul told The Malaysian Insider.
However, he said, if the property was in Kuala Lumpur, where Bumiputera buyers received a 10% discount and with development connected to the LRT and a shopping mall downstairs, then the price was appropriate.
Shytul also denied the involvement of contractors from China in the construction of Datum Jelatek, saying the contractors who had been appointed were locals and selected through an open tender.
"The contractors who have been appointed are locals and chosen in an open process," he said.
Following last Sunday’s rowdy protest, Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali had questioned whether the rowdy protesters who broke into the Datum Jelatek condominium construction site were actual residents of the area.
"Who are they? Are you sure? Are you sure they are locals? Besides Salleh (Samad, chairman of the Datum Jelatek Action Committee), who else was there?" he had asked.
Azmin had said he was willing to meet the residents and listen to their objections over the project.
He had said the state was duty-bound to ensure any project or development would not create racial tension.
He had also denied that there were racial elements in the project as claimed by participants of the protest.
Azmin had said despite the existence of Bumiputera quota, it must not be used as a sentiment that could hinder development in Selangor.
Last November, Salleh and Keramat residents had held a peaceful protest at the Selangor state secretariat building in Shah Alam, urging an end to the project.
Salleh had reportedly warned of possible "bloodshed" if Selangor proceeded with the project, saying it was a threat to the Malays. - TMI
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