Another U-turn, says Najib after Bandar Malaysia’s return

Najib Razak.

PETALING JAYA: Najib Razak today mocked Putrajaya’s decision to revive the Bandar Malaysia project, describing it as another “major U-turn” by the government.

The former prime minister, whose pet project Bandar Malaysia had come under heavy criticism from the then opposition Pakatan Harapan, said there was also nothing different in the revived deal announced by the government today.

He said the project’s price tag, shareholders as well as the Chinese firm involved in it remained the same.

“Even the contract is the same one signed during Barisan Nasional’s administration,” he said in an immediate reaction to the government’s announcment.

The Prime Minister’s Office today said the Cabinet approved the project as it would have a significant impact on the economy and attract major multinationals to set up their regional bases.

“The project is expected to generate tremendous impact on urban development for Malaysia drawing foreign direct investments and generating an expected gross development value (GDV) of RM140 billion,” the statement said.

The announcement of the project’s revival comes exactly a week after the government gave its green light for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, another project promoted by Najib which was criticised by PH.

Putrajaya today said both projects should be viewed “within the larger context of fostering and cementing long-term bilateral relations between Malaysia and China while ensuring that such projects add maximum economic value to the country”.

Najib said he could now “recycle” the accusations hurled at him by PH.

“Selling off the country. Shady project. Bowing to China.

“All of this can now be forwarded back to PH,” he said.

Bandar Malaysia, with an estimated cumulative gross development value of RM150 billion, is planned on the site of the current site of the former Royal Malaysian Air Force base in Sungai Besi, on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.

The project was also planned as a hub for the now-suspended High-Speed Rail project linking Malaysia and Singapore. - FMT