‘No response’ but earthworks stirring at Batu Kawah site Posted: 11 Sep 2014 10:06 PM PDT KUCHING: The state has yet to respond to a proposed project to build affordable housings on a 263-acre state land opposite Batu Kawah New Township (MJC), but a recent earth-filling work at the site has raised curiosity of opposition lawmakers.
Chong holds up a sketch on his proposed development of public affordable housings and amenities while Chiew shows a picture of a recent earth-filling work taking place at the said land.
State Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen proposed for the development of four parcels of land – Lots 127, 128, 2301 and 2304 all of Block 225 Kuching North Land District – with a total area of 106.67 hectares.
The proposed development, which was suggested to be undertaken by the Housing Commission, consists of the building of 104 blocks of 5-storey residential flats containing 30 units each, making a total of 3,120 units of affordable housing for the poor; two primary schools with five acres of land each and various sports facilities including a public swimming pool.
Also proposed was an allocation of 20 acres of land to the Chinese Middle Schools Management Board for development of shophouses to generate income for the school board.
However, the Bandar Kuching MP has not received any reply from the government in respect to his application sent to Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem through a letter dated July 31.
"It is shocking that recently, earth-filling work was seen being carried out on the land although it is still registered as a State Land. A land search on the four parcels of land with the Land and Survey Department revealed that as of July 30, the State is the registered proprietor of the land.
"The immediate question that comes to my mind is whether the work is done by some 'crony companies' or that it is done by the government itself, which is unlikely. The state government normally does not carry out earth-filling work," he told a press conference at DAP headquarters here yesterday.
Also present was Batu Kawah assemblywoman Christina Chiew. Also, there was no signboard detailing the works, project length and the name of company engaged to undertake the contract carried out at the land.
In this regards, Chong who is also Kota Sentosa assemblyman wrote to the Land and Survey Dept superintendent (Kuching Division) and forwarded a copy to Adenan to enquire on the matter.
The letter enquired whether there was any application made to the Land and Survey Department for the earth-filling work to be carried out and whether any approval has been given to the applicant to carry out such work.
If so, Chong queried on what ground was the approval granted and what action would the department take against the contractor if there was no approval.
"Who made such application and on what locus standi did the applicant base its application? It is incredulous and unbelievable that someone can be so blatant as to enter a state land which is located next to a main road and carry out earth-filling work as if the land belongs to that person," he said.
He hoped the department will take immediate action on the matter. In addition, he urged the chief minister to approve the submitted plan to build over 3,000 low and medium cost housings for low-income earners.
Chong expected the four parcels of land under the jurisdiction of Padawan Municipal Council to have a market value of around RM500 million.
on TheBorneoPost (12/09/2014) |