‘Sg Way football field not sold’, Assemblyman says pitch will be upgraded with car park beneath it

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2012 - 12:57
by Ram Anand, Meena Lakshana (Malay Mail)

KAMPUNG TUNKU assemblyman Lau Weng San has denied MCA claims that the state government has sold a football field in Sungei Way to developer Taipan Fokus Sdn Bhd.

The DAP official said the agreement between the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and the developer was that of a cross-subsidy, which meant the land remained under the council’s care.

LAU: Reaffirming the council’s hold on the land — Pic: Shahir Omar

“It is an agreement whereby the council will technically lease the land for development. After 20 years, the developer needs to return the developed land to the council,” he said.

‘When the land is returned to the council, its value is estimated to be at RM12.5 million.”

Lau also denied MCA allegations that the field would be demolished to make way for shop lots, effectively closing down the only football field left in the area.

“If anything, the field will be upgraded. There will be a 300-lot car park built under it, and on top of it, there will be a field,” he said.

“The temple near the field will also be relocated, meaning the field will be bigger.”

Lau showed the building plans to reporters after the state assembly concluded its meeting in Shah Alam yesterday.

On Sunday, MCA complaints bureau deputy chief Kelvin Chong led a protest by about 150 people against the state government for not consulting the local community before deciding on plans for the land.

Lau said Chong should redirect his opposition on the development to MCA’s former Kampung Tunku assemblyman Datuk Dr Wong Sai Hou instead.

“This project was approved in 2007. Dr Wong was assemblyman and an MBPJ councillor when the deal was struck. If he (Chong) is against it, he should refer to his own party member, not me,” he said.

He also accused Chong and his MCA colleagues of speaking out in public without “checking their facts”.

“Chong said the development order (DO) for the project had lapsed. Although the government agreed in principle with the developer to have this arrangement, it is the developer’s prerogative to submit a DO application to the local council,” said Lau.

“A developer only submits a DO when he is ready to develop the place. They have other projects to look after as well. If anything, Chong should show the DO which he claimed to have been issued with in 2007.”