Thursday, October 13, 2011

No acquisition but traders unconvinced

Friday, October 14th, 2011 10:50:00

NO PLANS FOR DEMOLITION: Heritage buildings in Jalan Sultan will be dismantled and rebuilt

KUALA LUMPUR: There will be no land acquisition of Jalan Sultan and Jalan Bukit Bintang buildings for the Klang Valley MY Rapid Transit (KVMRT) project.

The project owner, MRT Corporation, will instead dismantle and rebuild the original buildings a fter construction has ended.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said he was told by MRT Corporation CEO Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid last Monday it would bear the cost and replace any materials broken during the process.

“He told me MRT will not acquire the land but during the construction period, it will have to bring down the present buildings but they will rebuild once the project is completed, which means the issue of acquiring the land does not arise,” Nazri said at a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) yesterday.

“During the period when construction is ongoing, MRT will compensate the traders for whatever income they have lost. I have been told by Datuk Azhar that he has met them and MRT is actually waiting for the groups’ response to this.”

Nazri said the buildings would be dismantled and stored so that the same materials could be used in rebuilding the historical shops.

MRT Corp yesterday also issued a statement, stressing there were no plans to acquire or demolish any buildings except for land needed to build an underground tunnel.

“We will compensate for any loss of business in the interim and for any demolished buildings,” said the statement.

“Further, we are open to an agreement where we will re-build shops for the owners to return to in return for acquisition.”

MRT Corp also said it would not realign its route despite strong objections by the traders in Jalan Sultan and Jalan Bukit Bintang.

“We have conducted in-depth research and looked at all the various options, even the ones being bandied around by uninformed parties. We don’t make decisions such as this without through, proper evaluation. The alignment is the most optimal and we will not change it,” it said.

In an immediate reaction, the Committee of Preserving Jalan Sultan and Jalan Bukit Bintang said it was not convinced the tunnel could be completed in six months, and was also sceptical on how MRT Corp planned to rebuild the demolished buildings.

MRT Corp will begin its tunneling process for its underground line in the second quarter of 2014 and the a ffected tenants will have to move out for six months.

On Wednesday, Jalan Sultan and Jalan Bukit Bintang traders formed a committee to pressure MRT Corp into considering realigning the MRT’s Sungai Buloh-Kajang line.

Called the Committee of Preserving Jalan Sultan and Jalan Bukit Bintang, it is supported by former Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and DAP Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun as advisers.

The committee wants the MRT line re-routed from Jalan Sultan to Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock and for the new route to be integrated with the LRT Pasar Seni station and KTMB line and the Puduraya bus terminal.

Ong had said committee members met with MRT Corp last week but the o fficials “shot down” the owners’ realignment proposals.

Nazri, however, said the MRT realignment had become a non-issue as the demands by the traders were met in the new proposal.

“They are protesting against the alignment because they were worried that their land will be acquired. Now their land will not be acquired. Two, they were worried about what is going to happen because their business is there.

“But Datuk Azhar told me he is prepared to pay them compensation until the time the station is ready. So the issue of realignment does not arise.”

Traders to stay put

Committee unconvinced by new proposal, insists MRT line be realigned

TRADERS have given a resounding "no" to the Klang Valley MY Rapid Transit (KVMRT) project owner’s latest proposal and insisted that the Sungai Buloh-Kajang (SBK) MRT line be realigned.

The Committee of Preserving Jalan Sultan and Jalan Bukit Bintang’s chairman, Tan Yew Sing, was sceptical if the latest proposal was studied or a "quick fix" by MRT Corporation.

“We are concerned over whether MRT’s proposal is a quick fix or not and it will not be easy to convince the stakeholders who are not limited to shop owners but the KL folk in general," Tan told The Malay Mail.

“We are not convinced the tunnel can be completed in six months. We are also sceptical about how they plan to rebuild demolished buildings by using the original materials. The buildings will not be authentic. We need more convincing."

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said yesterday MRT Corp would not acquire any land but would instead dismantle and rebuild the original buildings after construction had ended.

MRT Corp also released a statement yesterday stressing there were no plans to acquire or demolish buildings except for land needed for an underground tunnel.

It said it would not realign its route despite objections by traders in Jalan Sultan and Jalan Bukit Bintang.

Tan said the committee would no longer entertain any more meetings with MRT Corp.

“MRT has made their stance clear. We will gather support and come out with a memorandum to the highest authority (Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak),” he said.

The committee is campaigning for the MRT line to be re-routed from Jalan Sultan to Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock and for the new route to be integrated with the LRT Pasar Seni station and KTMB line and the Puduraya bus terminal.

The committee is supported by former Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and DAP Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun (pic), who are its advisers.

Fong asked why MRT Corp was adamant in refusing to consider the proposed realignment.

"Jalan Tan Cheng Lock is better alignment compared to Bukit Bintang and the new alignment would not affect traders. I don't know why they still prefer the Jalan Sultan route. They must have a hidden agenda," he said.

Fong also asked how MRT Corp was going to calculate the losses suffered by the traders during the six months.

He said the buildings would lose their historical value even if it they were dismantled and rebuilt using the same materials.

“Those affected are not stall owners but property owners who inherited the stake from their forefathers a century ago. My concern is whether the building structures, old as they are, can withstand the vibration of tunneling.

“Of course, we can rebuild the structuresbut would you still call them heritage buildings?”

READ: Tee Keat accuses MRT of heavy-handedness

Tee Keat accuses MRT of heavy-handedness

ASRUL HADI ABDULLAH SANI - malay mail

Thursday, October 13th, 2011 11:52:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat (pic) questioned the land acquisition in Jalan Sultan by the Klang Valley MY Rapid Transit (KVMRT) project owner, saying the affected owners are having their "arms twisted" to give in to MRT Co despite the legality of doing so was being disputed.

Ong, who is Pandan MP, said the authorities must stop intimidating the owners into selling their properties.

“They must stop all means of high-handedness, including individuals being called in separately and being asked point-blank on the quantum of compensation,” he told a Press conference at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) yesterday.

“From what I gather, the acquisition is now being actively pursued. Why is that so? Is it not a form of arm-twisting?”

MRT land acquisition has been called a land-grab exercise since the National Land Code 1965 allowed underground land to be acquired without affecting surface property.

Ong also asked why the feasibility study and social impact assessment report have yet to be made public to determine the structural safety of buildings being acquired.

He said any mega-project must have social impact assessment before it can be implemented.

"We know well those are prewar buildings (at Jalan Sultan) and whether or not they are going to be structurally safe and fit for occupation after the tunnelling work, has to be determined. So far I think it is still open-ended. Nobody knows, and there's not even an assurance on safety,” said the former MCA president.

Ong said the owners are being forced to sell their properties when the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) sent a letter on Sept 8 requesting owners to provide documents on their land for valuation.

“The authorities said acquisition will be based on willing buyer and willing seller basis. I think this doesn’t hold because I believe most of the affected owners have made their stance known that they are not willing sellers. Why then the authorities are still pursuing the submission of the evaluation reports?”

Yesterday, Jalan Sultan and Jalan Bukit Bintang traders formed a committee to pressure MRT Co into considering realigning the MRT’s Sungai Buloh-Kajang line.

Called the Committee of Preserving Jalan Sultan and Jalan Bukit Bintang, it is supported by Ong and DAP Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun as advisors.

Ong said committee members met with MRT Co last Thursday but the officials “shot down” the owners' realignment proposals.

Ong also urged the owners not to delay in asking Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to intervene.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Bukit Bintang businessmen protest over change in MRT plan

By BAVANI M

bavanim@thestar.com.my
Photo by P.NATHAN

STAKEHOLDERS in Bukit Bintang whose property and business are affected by the Klang Valley My Rapid Transit (MRT) project want the Government to revert to its original plan to build two MRT stations in Bukit Bintang, instead of one in Bukit Bintang Central.

Under the new plan at least 30 property owners would have to be relocated for the project.

About 100 people comprising property owners, traders, tenants and workers in the shopping hub took to the streets at 10.30am yesterday to protest against the proposed acquisition of their property for the MRT project.

The 30-minute protest was led by the Federal Territory 1Malaysia MCA Task Force deputy team leader Frankie Gan.

Gan said the MRT’s original proposed plan was to build two stations — one in Bukit Bintang (East) on an empty land near Pavilion KL and another in Bukit Bintang (West) near Pudu.

“However, after MRT Co (the new project and asset owner) took over the project there was a new plan to incorporate both stations into one.

“The new proposed station will be built near the spot where the McDonalds is located and this would directly affect 30 shoplots,’’ added Gan.

Gan said the stakeholders were unhappy with the new plan and wanted the Government to revert to the original plan of having two stations in Bukit Bintang.

“The property owners believe that the new plan would cause congestion,” he said.

Bukit Bintang Land Aquisition Pro tem Action Committee chairman Datuk Chong Peng Wah said the negative impact of tearing down the shops would far outweigh the benefits of having the MRT.

Speaking up: The business owners in Jalan Bukit Bintang expressing their unhappiness over the proposed acquisition.

“Bukit Bintang did not become the happening hub it is today by accident. It is what it is today due to the hard work of the traders and businesses.

“What would happen to the livelihood of the thousands of people working here? This is not just an entertainment centre but also a tourist hub. We are not against development but I think the Government must listen to the views of the people now,’’ added Chong.

Ship restaurant owner Foo Shou Jee said it was not right for the Government to sideline the operators who have been in the area since the 1970’s.

“The Ship is a landmark here since it opened 40 years ago,’’ Foo said.

Honey Bake owner Chang Hee Jaw said his bakery had been operating for 32 years and what the project owners were doing was not right.

Zainah Zain, who runs a travel agency, said the Government could not just tear down the old businesses and replace it with faceless structures.

The owners also said they were not informed about the project and that their properties were not included during the three-month public display period.

It is believed that at least two fast-food restaurants, McDonald’s and KFC, a bakery, several restaurants and travel agencies would be affected by the project.

MMC-Gamuda JV Sdn Bhd was appointed as the Project Delivery Partner to manage the project and the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) to supervise the project.

The Sungai Buloh-Kajang (SBK) line spans 51km of which 9.5km will be underground with 31 stations.

Work on the SBK line would begin next month. The multi-billion ringgit project is expected to be completed in 2016 and begin operations in January 2017.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Nazri to meet Prasarana over MRT route

By Melissa Chi

September 22, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 22 — Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said he would meet Prasarana Negara Berhad to lobby for a realignment of the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) route to avoid the need to acquire properties in Jalan Sultan and Jalan Petaling here.

The minister in the Prime Minister's Department had promised on Tuesday to meet the prime minister to push for a realignment of the multimillion ringgit rail network which, according to current plans, affects a part of Chinatown.

However, Nazri(picture) told reporters today that the Cabinet meeting yesterday ended early for a Hari Raya open house and he did not have time to discuss the matter with the prime minister.

He said he would meet Prasarana chief executive officer Sharil Mokthar when he returns from abroad after September 27.

Although Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had announced that the MRT project will be handed over to MRT Co from September 1, the senior Cabinet minister said it had not officially taken over from Prasarana yet.

“The best practice for underground engineering, first you must do it under a wide road, secondly, it shouldn’t have any sharp cornering, it has to be smooth.

“So they suggested a new alignment, alternative route, under Jalan Cheng Lock and goes until Jalan Tun Perak, Jalan Pudu. So the alignment, the cornering is very smooth and gentle,” he said, referring to the Jalan Sultan committee that has a few engineers contributing to the new proposed route.

He explained that there are no buildings on the surface of the suggested route, thus cutting land acquisition costs.

Nazri said if an agreement is reached during the meeting with Prasarana, then there will be no need to meet with the Prime Minister on the matter.

“I will ask Prasarana to consider the amendment to the plans.

“I support what their request because firstly, I love heritage buildings, I am interested in traditional buildings in our country that needs to be preserved,” he said adding that the current MRT route is not cast in stone yet.

The former Victoria Institution student said it is a logical and valid request and should be given a reasonable consideration.

Regulators Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) and Prasarana have been under constant fire from angry traders with businesses located in the historic Chinatown area over its plan to acquire their properties to facilitate the tunnelling portion of the multibillion ringgit rail project.

Suspicion has also arisen over whether the transport regulator’s purpose of acquiring the prime land lots was to exploit their commercial value to fund the construction of the MRT, said to be Malaysia’s most expensive infrastructure project to date.

Among others, Jalan Sultan traders are also upset that they had not been consulted prior to the final alignment of the MRT’s Sungai Buloh-Kajang line and are now also mulling over whether to follow Bukit Bintang traders by taking their fight to court.

SPAD has since come out to deny any intention of a “land grab” in its acquisition of Jalan Sultan properties but admitted it could not guarantee that the acquired lots would later be returned to landowners.

In a letter to The Malaysian Insider recently, SPAD chief executive officer Mohd Nur Kamal said while the acquisition process was being worked out in detail, the government “is in no position to make guarantees of the return of these properties”.

But he reasoned that what was most important was that the government had “listened” to feedback from the affected parties and had agreed to a mutually acceptable outcome.

Tanah untuk MRT: Nazri akan bincang dengan PM

Utusan Malaysia: 20/09/2011 8:04pm

KUALA LUMPUR 20 Sept. — Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz akan mengadakan pertemuan dengan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak esok bagi membincangkan mengenai pengambilalihan tanah untuk Projek MRT Lembah Klang Jajaran Sungai Buloh-Kajang di Jalan Sultan dan Jalan Bukit Bintang.

Nazri berkata, beliau juga akan mengadakan perbincangan dengan Syarikat Prasarana Sdn. Bhd., yang bertanggungjawab dalam projek tersebut, supaya menimbang beberapa perkara, termasuk mencari laluan alternatif sebelum pengambilalihan tersebut dibuat.

Beliau berkata, demikian kepada pemberita selepas sesi dialog bersama Gabungan Pertubuhan Cina Malaysia (Hua Zong) berhubung isu itu di sini hari ini.

"Anggota Parlimen Pandan, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat pernah berjumpa saya bagi menunjukkan laluan alternatif supaya projek tersebut dialihkan ke kawasan yang tidak jauh dari kawasan yang akan diambil alih itu,” katanya.

Proses pengambialihan tanah di Jalan Sultan bagi projek berkenaan mendapat bantahan dari pemilik hartanah, ahli sejarah dan aktivis seni budaya kaum Cina berikutan ia akan menjejaskan bangunan warisan sejarah yang berusia lebih 100 tahun di situ. — Bernama

Nazri: Build MRT stations at both ends of Bukit Bintang

NST 2011/09/26

KUALA LUMPUR: The construction of Bukit Bintang Central as a main station, as proposed for the Klang Valley MY Rapid Transit (MRT) project, will affect many businesses in the area.
Bukit Bintang businessmen, whose land had been gazetted for the BB Central station, have suggested that two stations should, instead be built, at both ends of Jalan Bukit Bintang, known as BB West and BB East, as originally planned.

Speaking after meeting with the businessmen, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz said he agreed with their proposal.

He promised to convey their concern to MRT Co's chief executive officer Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid after he officially takes over MRT operations from Prasarana Negara Bhd on Oct 1.

"If we have Bukit Bintang Central, which has been proposed to be located in front of BB Plaza, this will cause a problem as we already have a monorail station nearby.

"Besides, if it were to take three to five years to build, businesses in the area will be affected during that period,as well," Nazri said.

This would also cripple the robust businesses of Bukit Bintang, which is known internationally to be a shopping haven, he said.

It was originally proposed that BB West and BB East be built at each end of Jalan Bukit Bintang, but the plan was after public consultation.

However, Nazri said if MRT Co were to to build BB Central, this would affect 68 existing businesses, as their land would need to be acquired to make way for the multimillion project.

He said the move could be avoided if MRT Co were to use an empty piece of land at the old Pavillion cinema to build BB East.

"And MRT Co should think about the social impact, where thousands of people will be out of jobs. I sympathise with them and I believe what they requested is fair," said Nazri.

Yong Yew Wei, adviser to a committee representing the businessmen, said many businesses at Sungei Wang Plaza had closed because of the proposed land acquisition.

He said the businessmen had also sought help from Nazri to de-gazette the land.

Prasarana had said on Aug 22 that 20 lots in Bukit Bintang would be acquired to make way for tunneling works and an underground station.

The issue of land acquisition is governed by the Land Acquisition Act 1960 and the National Land Code. The body that is responsible for the issuance of notices pertaining to land acquisition is the Department of Director General of Land and Mines.

Nazri to meet Najib over land acquisition

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 (Bernama) -- Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz is to meet Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak tomorrow over the acquisition of land in Jalan Sultan and Jalan Bukit Bintang for the Sungai Buloh-Kajang line of the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (MRT).

Mohamed Nazri said he would also hold discussions with Syarikat Prasarana Sdn Bhd, which was undertaking the project, to consider several matters including an alternative route before any acquisition.

He spoke to reporters after a dialogue with the Federation of Chinese Associations of Malaysia (Hua Zong) on the matter here.

Several property owners, historians and Chinese cultural activists had objected to the acquisition of land in Jalan Sultan for the project, saying it would involve tearing down heritage buildings more than 100 years old.

Mohamed Nazri said Pandan MP Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat had shown him an alternative route for the MRT which bypasses the area designated for acquisition of the land.

30单位受影响须让路捷运武吉免登逾百人抗议

2011-10-01 17:21
（吉隆坡1日讯）捷运计划“杀到”，武吉免登路30个单位被逼让路，数以千计租户及基层员工饭碗恐不保，今走上街头和平抗议，望政府能改变初衷，让他们在原地营业。
多数业者未接通知
民主行动党武吉免登区国会议员方贵伦曾透露，宪报上已颁布捷运计划将征用武吉免登路店铺，可惜大部分业主至今仍未接获通知信。
影响数千人生计
据了解，武吉免登路30个单位，即从麦当劳快餐店至肯德基炸鸡快餐店的店铺将受影响。
沿路设有面包店、电器店、廉价酒店、外币兑换商、餐厅及服装店。
地铺月租上万令吉
由于地处黄金三角，且受2亿1000万令吉天价的“地王”刺激，当地其中两栋三层的单位目前市值已达2800万令吉，地铺月租上万令吉起跳，而店铺天台的广告牌租金更是高达百万令吉，产业价值不菲。
有关单位共有68名业主，租户及基层员工则数以千计，一旦落实拆建，除业主将获赔，租户及员工将首当其冲，不知何去何从。
为捍卫生计及饭碗，逾百名租户及基层员工今午自动自发，齐聚一首在武吉免登路受影响单位前，拉横幅及喊口号反对政府征地建捷运，要求政府照原定计划，在武吉免登区兴建东西两站，避免影响升斗市民。
祖尔（经济酒店员工）:政府必须详细规划
经济酒店在这里开店营业30年，我也已打工20年，是家里经济支柱。捷运计划固然重要，但政府必须详细规划，如今处处塞车，扒手问题也依然未决。
一旦落实拆建，业主可以获得赔偿，但租户与打工一族将无处可去，武吉免登的经济也将深受影响。
妮莎（面包店员工）:以为能搭捷运上班
初时听闻捷运将开到武吉免登，我非常高兴，以为能乘搭公共交通上班，非常方便。
岂料，为了捷运计划，却要征用及拆除工作地点，令人不解。
再娜（网咖及旅行社业者）:游客增加生意不错
我分别于2007年及2010年经营网咖及旅行社，游客逐年增长，再加上地理位置绝佳，生意向来不错。
若店铺被拆建，将失去生计，尤其很多中东游客，只认识武吉免登。
潘威君（产业管理公司职员）:自动发起抗议行动
我们见证吉隆坡发展，是推动武吉免登发展的无名英雄，我们的声音应该被听见，因此自动发起这项抗议行动。
初时听闻捷运将开到武吉免登，当地打工一族都非常高兴，以为能乘搭公共交通上班，不再为塞车及高昂停车费所苦，岂料，为了捷运计划，却要征用及拆除他们工作的地方。
温来发及杨秀萍（脚底按摩业者）:拆建不知何去何从
我们的单位从1960年开始已经营脚底按摩生意，初时是业主自己经营，后在15年前才租给我们，也“继承”约30名员工，多数如今已年届花甲。
我们育有四名孩子，一家六口及数十名员工都靠按摩院为生，若拆建，真的不知何去何从，尤其很多员工已年过半百，叫他们如何再找工作？
陈保罗及魏丽梅（电器店业者）:建捷运勿影响生计
我们在这里经营电器店已13年，每天上午10时至午夜12时营业，全年无休，全副心血都在经营生意，可谓武吉免登繁华的贡献者。
业主不曾接获征地通知，直至记者来访才惊悉营业单位受影响。我们并不反对建捷运，但必须顾及当地商民的生计，不解为何不按照原定计划，在停车场地段兴建捷运站，反而要征用店铺。

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Bukit Bintang traders want MRT operator to revert to old plan

Posted on 27 September 2011 - 05:28am
Last updated on 27 September 2011 - 03:09pm

Hemananthani Sivanandam
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 26, 2011): Several traders in Bukit Bintang are urging the government to revert to the original proposed plan to build two Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations at both ends of Jalan Bukit Bintang.

The original plan proposed that the two MRT stations be built on existing vacant plots, known as BB West and BB East. However the new MRT plan has only one station, which is BB Central.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz today said he sympathised with the plight of the traders as he understood their concerns.

“They are not opposing the MRT project. They are just hoping that the government will revert to the old plan and they have given reasonable explanations on why. I find their request to be fair.

“I understand their concerns because I am told that 68 businesses will be affected and this will cause a loss of jobs,” he said after a meeting with the chairman of the Bukit Bintang Protem Action Committee Datuk Chong Peng Wah together with the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall secretary-general Stanley Yong and DAP Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun, who handed a memo on the matter.

Nazri added that after public consultation, the new plan for the MRT proposed the BB Central station, which is opposite BB Plaza and Lot 10 to serve the area.

“Of course it will create problems because there is already a monorail station there. Also, if construction of the station takes three to five years, businesses (in that area) will be affected,” he said adding that BB Central is a prime, and internationally renown shopping district."

“You must remember Malaysia is not the only heaven on earth… Other countries such as Singapore and Jakarta are competing for the same tourists so we must look at this," Nazri said.

“Also, it will definitely cause (traffic) congestion. These are the few things that can be considered as the negative effects if we proceed to have BB Central but all this can be avoided if we revert to the original plan," he said.

“The MRT is supposed to provide facilities and make the people happy but we are making so many people unhappy,” he added.

Nazri said he will arrange for a meeting with MRT Co's CEO Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid next month to bring the plight of the traders. MRT Co will be the project and asset owner of the Klang Valley MY Rapid Transit (KVMRT) project.