New leaders to decide fate of Wisma MCA after party polls

Andrew Chin Andrew Chin Updated 5 years ago · Published on 3 Sep 2018 7:40PM · 0 Comments

The MCA headquarters in Jalan Ampang sit on a valuable piece of Kuala Lumpur real estate. The party intends to build a multi-use building next to it. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, September 3, 2018.

MCA’S proposal to demolish its national headquarters in Kuala Lumpur to make way for a 70-storey skyscraper is stalled until after the party elections.

A party insider said the matter will be “clearer” when new leaders take over after the elections in November, following its dismal performance in the 14th general election in May.

“I believe the current party president (Liow Tiong Lai) won’t make any decision. Everything will be clearer after the party elections. 

“The development plan will need the approval of the presidential council, and the central delegates in the national assembly,” the source told The Malaysian Insight.

MCA has obtained approval from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) on August 2 to demolish its 23-storey headquarters in Jalan Ampang, The Edge reported on Saturday.

In its place, MCA proposed to build a 70-storey tower with 328 hotel rooms, offices, an eight-storey basement car park, and a two-storey sky lounge and restaurant. The party submitted the proposal to DBKL on July 23. 

However, the source denied that the current headquarters building will be demolished, saying it would be retained while the skyscraper is built next to it on an acre-size land. 

“To be accurate, this is a redevelopment plan. The tower will be built next to Wisma MCA. The original building will not be demolished. 

“After the development, MCA headquarters will remain in the same address. We are not moving,” said the party source, adding that it could be used as a dormitory for party members, especially during its annual meeting.

The source said MCA planned to redevelop its national headquarters two years ago as it is located in a strategic location in the capital city. However, it is hard to predict whether the development plan will attract investors after Barisan Nasional lost federal power.

The redevelopment project is estimated to have a gross development value of RM1 billion. 

MCA’s fourth party president Lee San Choon initiated the plan to build Wisma MCA in 1975. It is located on a freehold land of 5.3ha. – September 3, 2018.  

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