Public land and rising prices: Rakyat didahulukan?

A dispute is brewing in Bandar Tasek Selatan between developer Maju Holdings and the rakyat.

About 200 residents from both side of the political divide, both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat supporters, held a protest against the developer.

Star blog reported shouting match in the meeting between residents and developer in the presence of Federal Minister, Raja Dato Nong Chik.

Bandar Tun Abdul Razak UMNO Division Secretary and blogger Sang Kelembai, Zaharin Yassin was thrown out from the meeting. It is heard that Zaharin is threatening to resign his UMNO post if the Federal Territory Minister compromise with the developer.

Maju is owned by entrepreneur Tan Sri Abu Sahid Mohamad or popularly known as Abu Juling (cross-eyed Abu). They developed the Bandar Tasek Selatan in Bandar Tun Abdul Razak, Cheras.

The dispute is about Maju deciding to forego the approved planned construction of 2,033 units of apartments and changed plan to build five bungalows. And the dispute also involved the erection of fences on land earmarked for public recreation and access road.

Over the weekend, prices of basic controlled item goods are rising unannounced. Domestic Trade Minister is said to not know. And BN is facing a by-election in Johor.

Are these the kind of issues necessary for a rakyat didahulukan Government?

Zaharin could not be contacted to confirm. [Bro, you don't owe me money. Don't worry to pick up my call.]

The Bernama report on this dispute below:

Maju Holdings Must Tear Down Fences, Says Nong Chik

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 7 (Bernama) -- The government will issue a 14-day notice to Maju Holdings Sdn Bhd (Maju Holdings) to tear down the fences built on a land earmarked for a public recreational park in Bandar Tasik Selatan here.

Federal Territories and Urban Well-being Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin said although the land was owned by Maju Holdings, it cannot construct any structure other than a recreation area as originally planned.

"They have to tear down the fences which were built on a public access road, otherwise action will be taken against the company.

"Maju Holdings should be sensitive to the needs of the people who have waited for so long for a recreation area there," he told reporters after inspecting the Integrated South-Bandar Tasik Selatan Transport Terminal (TBS-BTS) here Friday.

Last Sunday, about 200 residents from both Barisan Nasional and the opposition protested against the construction of five bungalows by Maju Holdings executive chairman Tan Sri Abu Sahid Mohamed on a piece of land near the TBS-BTS which was said to be earmarked for a recreation park.

Raja Nong Chik, who later met the residents, said the construction plan of the bungalows owned by Abu Sahid had yet to get the approval of the Kuala Lumpur City Hall.

Meanwhile, Abu Sahid said the government had no rights to seize the land as it belonged to the company since it started developing Bandar Tasik Selatan 30 years ago.

"The land in dispute is under Phase 6 of the township development, which was initially meant for the construction of 2,033 units of apartments, but I changed the plan to build the bungalows," he said.

He said had the company built apartments there, then it would have to hand over the land for the construction of a recreation park as previously planned.

Prime Minister Dato Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak stepped in to order removal of the fences. Does the PM need to step in to help when the Minister is already empowered?

Najib Wants Wall Near TBS-BTS Demolished

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 9 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has directed Syarikat Maju Terminal Management and Services Sdn Bhd (Maju Tmas) to demolish the wall obstructing a public passage near Terminal Bersepadu Selatan-Bandar Tasik Selatan (TBS-BTS).

Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin said it includes the wall surrounding the bungalow of Kumpulan Maju Holdings Sdn Bhd executive chairman Tan Sri Abu Sahid Mohamed.

He said the government will not hesitate to withdraw the company's TBS-BTS operating licence if it continues to ignore the directive.

Abu Sahid had given the area to the government for public use provided the surrounding area was developed but it the plan did not materialise.

"He can't take back what had been given up. This is the final decision," he said at a new year meeting with residents in Pantai Dalam Sunday.

Abu Sahid plans to build 2,033 units of flats under Fasa 6 of Bandar Tasik Selatan but changed to five bungalows.

The plan has yet to receive approval from Kuala Lumpur City Hall.

Raja Nong Chik said Abu Sahid has the right to take legal action but it would not benefit anybody and victimise the people.

"We hope both parties will not lose out. Abu Sahid and nearby residents can use the recreation area and lake."

On another matter, he said operator has agreed to find a location near TBS-BTS for traders who could not afford to rent lots in the terminal.

The bus terminal which began operation on Jan 1 is managed by Maju Tmas, a subsidiary company of Maju Holdings Sdn Bhd.

Reader Ghaffar from Muar sent an SMS to give his view of the dispute:

The rich squatting on public property, because of what?

This is an issue of people versus errant developer. Huff and puff by Abu Juling (is an) offshot (of) a row in the meeting (between developer and people) with Ministry of Federal Territory over a disputed land matter of Tasik Selatan.

Abu Juling walked out claiming that the whole of Tasik Selatan belong to him. He bought it in 1986.

(That is) Juling's unschooled and birdbrains spelt out by his ignorant and adamant (ways) as pictured.

The status of a private land is no longer private when the land had been located for development. By law, the land (should) be under the control of the Federal land Commissioner.

The disputed land was designated for recreation and for public usage in the first approved development plan. (But) Juling had built bungalows and included (is) his own (home) on this said land which was approved for apartments.

How was it approved for apartments at the very first place and later on converted to bungalows required investigation?

Knowing Juling, he usually get away with it.

That is something the rakyat have no tolerance to hear. Should a rakyat didahulukan Government allow such selfish personality get away? And should they forego rakyat's needs for the greedy needs of the rich?

Barisan Nasional is already getting a bad rap for unannounced sharp increases in basic controlled item foodstuffs.

Where is the high income in the New Economic Model?

The only model the rakyat is seeing is the Rising Cost of Living reality.

Words are it is Pemandu that raised sugar prices. This has long been planned by them in their effort to cut subsidy.

But why not cut sugar subsidy for the biggest user of sugar like Najib's pet project for the largest planned Coca Cola bottling plant in Nilai? Not only are soft drink companies benefitting from subsidised sugar, there are also food and confectionary companies.

Does that make corporation the major beneficiary of subsidy over the rakyat similar to IPPs in energy subsidy?

One cabinet minister in a meeting with bloggers recently was said to express questions on Najib's over reliance on Pemandu.

This begs the question: Is Pemandu insensitive or unappreciative of the living condition of rakyat in their economic planning?

The question is relevent because it seems EPU's economic planning role had been hijacked to Pemandu. Omar Ong and his coterie of expensive foreign consultants plus his own Ethos Consulting is in the background and forefront.

To make things worse, the kids in Pemandu seems to be more loyal to their liberal economic guru in some foreign land than to serve the nation and political master. They are generally upper class and foreign in outlook.

In fact, putting non-partisan Idris Jala is a problem by itself. The Butcher from Shell is rakyat insensitive.

Someone better keep tab on this urban and foreign outlook Pemandu people.

Better still, dump that Kelabit in the upcoming cabinet reshuffle. Dumb are those over awed only by his Shell-style Powerpoint prowess. He failed to turn around MAS.

The Government better be serious about their rakyat didahulukan slogan. They should live up to the slogan.

Najib's recent 72% popularity may not be able to carry BN through the general election if prices keep escalating and public recreation land is being robbed by the rich.

Does he want the rakyat to talk in class struggle language and demand leadership be reserved for the rakyat marhaen who truly understand the rakyat?