THE government can refund the developer of luxury condominiums at Taman Rimba Kiara if the project is cancelled, Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh said, refuting Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad’s earlier claim that the government will have to fork out RM150 million if the project is axed.

Yeoh said the payment would only amount to RM115.41 million and that the money could be refunded as 97% of it had already been paid to government agencies.

“So, we can pay back,” she said at a town hall session on the project in Taman Tun Dr Ismail today.

It was reported that RM115.4 million was the amount of the land premium and consultancy fees paid to government bodies and Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan, which, as the landowner, is in a joint venture with the developer.

Yeoh, who is also deputy women, family and community development minister, said in her proposal for a revised project with TTDI residents, town houses could be built for RM25 million instead of condominium blocks.

“It will only take RM25 million for the government to build town houses. The government has spent so much more that they can spend that (much).”

However, she said if the government could not afford to refund the developer, or if the developer is unable to build town houses, another developer should undertake the project.

“If Malton cannot build this, let others build it,” she said, referring to Malton Bhd, which owns project developer Memang Perkasa Sdn Bhd.

In Yeoh and the TTDI residents’ proposal, the town houses will be the new housing for the Bukit Kiara longhouse residence and will be built within the existing longhouse footprint, which does not encroach on Taman Rimba Kiara park.

By calling for an open tender, the government will also have a chance to secure a better deal.

Yeoh said it would be better if the government could undertake the project on its own instead of leaving it in the hands of the developer. 

“If the government can profit from this, why not let the government take it rather than put it in the hands of the developers? Why are we allowing developers to pocket from a green lung?”

In Yeoh and the TTDI residents’ proposal, the town houses will be the new housing for the Bukit Kiara longhouse residence and will be built within the existing longhouse footprint, which does not encroach on the Taman Rimba Kiara park.

However, when asked about compensation to the developer should the project be axed, Yeoh said Attorney-General Tommy Thomas ought to determine this as it involves a contract.

Yeoh has also proposed that temporary homes be built at the car park of the Taman Tun Dr Ismail market to provide the longhouse residents with lodging while the project is being developed.

Yeoh’s and Khalid’s proposal will be put forward to the cabinet to decide. The cabinet will also have the option to scrap the project if it does not agree on either proposals.

Yeoh said she hopes the cabinet will consider all views.

Meanwhile, lawyer cum activist Ambiga Sreenevasan, who also spoke at the town hall, said a moratorium should be imposed on the project pending the completion of the investigation.

Ambiga also urged Thomas to look into the contract.

“The question that has to be asked here is, who benefits from this project; the developer?”

She said the project, tainted by illegality as revealed by C4’s findings, should not even be considered on moral grounds. – May 18, 2019.