Why does the Government insist on selling the 267-acre of State Land at Batu Kawa to Standard Parade Development Sdn Bhd at only RM115 million when there is a purchaser willing to pay RM620 million for the same piece of land?
It has been more than one month since I submitted the proposal of a purchaser willing to take up the 267.15 acres of State Land opposite MJC New Township, Batu Kawa, Kuching at the price of RM620 million, yet Adenan is still silent on the State Government’s position.
By an Agreement dated 8-3-2014, the Sarawak Government agreed to sell 267.15 acres of State Land opposite MJC New Township, Jalan Batu Kawa, Kuching (Lots 128, 5489, 5490, 5491, 2301, 2304 and 5279 all of Block 225 Kuching North Land District) (hereinafter called “the Said Land”) to Standard Parade Development Sdn Bhd (SPD) at the price of RM115 million.
After I exposed this shoddy land transaction, Adenan Satem, in April 2015, openly challenged me in Sarawak Dewan Undangan Negeri to look for a purchaser who is willing to pay RM550 million or more for the Said Land and that he promised he will then cancel the Agreement with SPD if I can find a purchaser willing to pay such price.
Now that I have found a purchaser who is willing to offer not only RM550 million, but RM620 million for the said Land, Adenan has been avoiding the issue by keeping absolutely quiet on whether the government will accept my proposal or otherwise.
Adenan’s deafening silence on this matter is evident of the fact that the current State administration, under his stewardship, still practises cronyism as was the administration under the previous Chief Minister.
The ultimate question here is:
“ Why does the Government insist on selling the said Land to SPD at only RM115 million when there is a purchaser willing to pay RM620 million for the same piece of land?”
It is also a shame that despite having the courage to challenge me, Adenan has no courage to follow through when I took up the challenge. It is especially more embarrassing for Adenan given that he is the head of the Sarawak State Government and this shoddy land transaction was entered into by the State during his term of office.
More importantly, should Adenan accept my purchaser’s offer, the Sarawak State Government will stand to gain an extra RM505 million (RM490 million in cash and RM15 million in the form of 1 primary school and 1 secondary school).
With this additional amount to the State Government, Sarawakian in general will benefit. The following are just examples of projects that can be implemented with RM490 million:
Take over all the public bus companies in Kuching, triple the number of buses and operate free bus services for 5 years. 700,000 people in and around Kuching will benefit from the free bus service, reduced transportation costs and less traffic jams;
Build at least 4,000 units of medium-cost houses for the poor;
Build at least 70 Grade-A schools; or
Build 3 150-bed Grade-A hospitals
By insisting that the said Land goes to SPD, indirectly, these possible facilities are taken away from the general Sarawak people and only SPD benefits from the said Land.
The longer Adenan keeps mum on this issue, the more he will be looked upon as being controlled by someone greater and that he has no power to decide on this issue. This will also undermine his authority and image as the Chief Minister.
YB Chong Chieng Jen
Chairman of DAP Sarawak
-SarawakLIVE
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