Pandikar
KOTA KINABALU (Feb 22): The Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Special Envoy for Sabah, Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, said he already confirmed with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor that there was no re- development plan for Sabah Trade Centre (STC), before writing two formal letters to the government showing his interest to move to the abandoned building.
Speaking to reporters after an event in Tanjung Aru on Thursday, Pandikar said after confirming with Hajiji, he wrote two letters to the State Government using his capacity as BIMP-EAGA Special Envoy for Sabah and the chairman of Tanjung Aru Eco Development Sdn Bhd (TAED).
“Late last year I was discussing with the Chief Minister that I would like to move BIMP-EAGA office to Sabah Trade Centre because it was abandoned and I can use the building for BIMP-EAGA exhibition. He said it was a good idea.
“When I asked if there is any plan to develop STC brought up to the Cabinet, Hajiji said no, so I wrote two letters. One letter as BIMP-EAGA Special Envoy for Sabah and the other letter as Tanjung Aru Eco Development Sdn Bhd (TAED) chairman.
“All of the sudden the Ministry of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship issued a statement that the government is taking back the land. In fact, the interim management that was given approval to manage the building was given a short notice to vacate the building.
“Why? If the current minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe has idea, is the former industrial minister Datuk Joachim Gunsalam is not smart enough? They have the same permanent secretary sitting there. Why hand over the key to the interim management when there was a plan to develop it?” he asked.
Pandikar also said the other letter as TAED chairman he offered to develop the land. However, the State Secretary’s Office replied both letters, stating that his proposal was postponed because the building has no OC (occupancy certificate).
“I offered TAED to develop STC because TAED is a property developer belongs to the government.
“So, is there any business with Phoong as minister to develop STC? Unless he has a friend to develop?” he asked.
Pandikar also wants Phoong to show the proof about the redevelopment plan that was approved in the Cabinet as he claimed before.
On Wednesday, Phoong said his ministry did not make a sudden interest on STC.
He said the Cabinet last year made decision to take back the land on STC, that was initially supposed to be sold to somebody but the buyer did not want to pursue with the purchase.
